§ MR. R. HARCOURT (Montrose Burghs)To ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will give a list of the loans for works of public utility connected with the question of unemployment for which sanction has been given since August, specifying in each case the local authority and the amount of the loan; and if he has been furnished by local authorities with any approximate estimate of the numbers likely to be employed.
(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I will send my hon. friend a list of loans sanctioned since the 1st August in respect of works which the local authorities concerned have stated would afford work for the unemployed. My hon. friend will understand that the list is confined to those cases in which the statement referred to has been expressly made by the local authorities, and that many other loans have been sanctioned for works of public; utility during the period which will undoubtedly afford employment to persons who would otherwise be unemployed. The local authorities have not furnished sufficient particulars to enable me to give the estimate asked for in the last part of the Question.