§ Mr. BARNESasked the Lord Advocate if he is yet in a position to allocate the moneys granted for the purposes of the Distress Committees under the Unemployed Workmen Act; if so, will he state what sums have been granted to the committees; if he is aware of the distress existing and arising out of unemployment in Glasgow and district; and, if so, if he can state to the House what steps are being taken to lessen it?
§ Mr. UREClaims for participation in the Parliamentary grant have been received by the Local Government Board for Scotland from the Distress Committees of Edinburgh and Glasgow only, and grants have been given of £5,758 to Glasgow and £1,000 to Edinburgh. I am aware that distress due to want of employment still exists in Glasgow and the surrounding districts, with which the Distress Committee is doing its best to cope.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIECan the right hon. Gentleman say how much the Glasgow Distress Committee have expended more than they received?
§ Mr. UREI suppose the hon. Member refers to the summer. On the work undertaken by the Distress Committee between the 12th July and the 17th September I understand upwards of £3,000 was spent.
§ Mr. C. E. PRICEMay I ask, in view of the decision of the Court of Sessions regarding the dispute between the Distress Committee and the town council, and seeing that the town council cannot now make a grant, whether the £1,000 allotted in any way met the requirements?
§ Mr. UREThe Government would require consideration of the question whether or not the grant could be used to pay travelling expenses.
§ Mr. WATTWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether the money borrowed by the Distress Committee on the strength of the Lord Advocate's guarantee has been repaid to them?
§ Mr. UREI gave no guarantee, but I offered certain assurances with which the hon. Member is acquainted. The question is now under the consideration of the Government.