HC Deb 26 October 1908 vol 194 cc1612-3
MR. ELLIS DAVIES (Carnarvonshire, Eifion)

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to modify the rule which now prevents the Local Government Board from giving assistance out of the Unemployed Fund to county councils who, unable under Section 2 (2) of the Unemployed Act, 1905, to appoint a distress committee, have appointed an unemployed committee under Section 2 (3) of the Act.

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

Perhaps I may be allowed to answer some of the Questions put to the Prime Minister on the subject of the Unemployed. With regard to the Question of my hon. friend I may state that payments out of the grant are only made to central bodies and distress committees constituted under the Unemployed Workmen Act, who are the bodies empowered by the Act to provide or contribute to the provision of work. Committees appointed under subsection (3) of Section 2 do not possess these powers. Their functions are limited to the collection of information with respect to the conditions of labour within their area and the supply of such information when required.