§ Mr. MYER (Lambeth, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether having regard to the fact that the latest available statistics with regard to unemployment showed a percentage of 7.9 of unemployed workmen in London, and that on the 22nd ultimo at a conference of metropolitan guardians, held in the parish of St. Mary, Islington, a resolution was unanimously passed that His Majesty's Government should at the earliest possible date initiate legislation to provide productive labour to moot the wants of those who become workless through no fault of their own, and in view of the approaching winter, the Government will initiate a scheme based upon sound economic principles dealing with the question before the end of the year.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JOHN BURNS,) BatterseaI have received a copy of the resolution referred to, and I have stated in reply that I shall be happy to consider any practical suggestions which the conference may wish to make on the subject of the relief of the unemployed. I cannot, however, undertake to comply with the suggestion contained in the last part of the Question.
§ MR. MYERIs the right hon. Gentle man aware that unemployment has now 1488 increased to 8.2 per cent., as compared with 3.6 per cent. at the corresponding period last year? Seeing that when the harvest and hop-picking is over there will be a great influx of population into the Metropolis, does not the right hon. Gentleman intend to take any action with regard to unemployment?
§ MR. JOHN BURNSsaid he did not anticipate any inrush into London to the extent suggested by the hon. Gentleman. He was dealing with the other aspect of the question in reply to the Question of the hon. Member for Tottenham.