HC Deb 16 November 1908 vol 196 c873
MR. MOND (Chester)

I bog to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state what is the total present number of central bodies and distress committees appointed under the Unemployed Relief Act of 1905.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JOHN BURNS,) Battersea

The present numbers are as follows:—In London, one central body, and twenty-nine distress committees. Outside London, eighty-eight distress committees.

MR. MOND

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state what is the number of borough or district councils, with a population of less than 50,000, who have applied for the appointment of a distress committee; and what is the number of cases in which the Local Government Board have given their consent to such applications.

MR. JOHN BURNS

Since the passing of the Unemployed (Workmen) Act, 1905, seventy-nine applications have been received for the establishment of distress committees in boroughs or urban districts with a population of less than 50,000. Orders setting up distress committees have been issued in fifteen of these cases, and in two more they have been promised and will be issued immediately.

MR. ARTHUR HENDERSON (Durham, Barnard Castle)

asked when the right hon. Gentleman proposed to circulate the list of committees which he promised should be circulated with the Parliamentary Papers.

MR. JOHN BURNS

I hope to circulate it and similar information in a few days.