§ SIR W. J. COLLINS (St. Pancras, W.)To ask the Prime Minister whether he would be prepared to consider the desirability of appointing a Committee, to consist partly of representatives of Government Departments and partly of outside experts, to suggest to the Central (Unemployed) Body and local distress committees schemes of work which, while not competing with existing industries, shall afford employment during the next few months to those whose names are placed on the registers of unemployed seeking work.
(Answered by Mr. Asquith.) I cannot help thinking that the Central (Unemployed) Body and distress committees, co-operating as they are with the local authorities and acting in consultation with, their expert officers, are better able to find practicable schemes of work than would such a committee as my hon. friend suggests. I have no doubt that they would willingly consider any practical proposal that was put before them from any quarter.