§ Mr. FELLasked the President of the Local Government Board if he can give particulars of the objects on which the loans sanctioned by the Local Government Board to provide employment have been or are being spent; if the money has been raised and expended to any great extent; and if he proposes to stimulate the local authorities to borrow again next year?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)Loans amounting to about £2,760,000 have been sanctioned by the Local Government Board since 1st August last for works for various useful purposes, by which employment would be provided. A Parliamentary Paper, of which I will send the hon. Member a copy, was issued in October last, which shows what these objects were, so far as relates to the loans then sanctioned. Those sanctioned since were, speaking generally, for purposes of a like kind. I have no doubt that much of the money has been raised and expended, but I cannot state precisely to what extent this has been the case until I receive the Returns of the receipts and expenditure of the local authorities for the financial year just closed. With regard to the last part of the question, it is too early at present to say whether it may be necessary to take action in the matter as respects next winter.