§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the President of the Local Government Board if the three workrooms for unemployed women directed by the Central Unemployed Body for London are in danger of being closed for lack of funds whilst 600 women are seeking admission; and if he intends making a further grant from the £200,000 set aside by the Government with a view of keeping these workrooms going?
§ Mr. PICKERSGILLasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that the workrooms for unemployed women under the direction of the Central (Unemployed) Body of London are in danger of being closed for want of funds, while 600 women are seeking admission, most of whom, being widows with young dependent children, who have been waiting and hoping for many weeks to obtain employment; and whether, in the circumstances, he will make a grant of money in order to secure a continuance of these workrooms?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)Perhaps I may be allowed to reply to this and the next question on the Paper together. I have had before me some proposals of the Central (Unemployed) Body for London for utilising certain moneys which they have in hand for various purposes, including, amongst others, the maintenance of the women's 1452 workrooms, and I have agreed to the appropriation of £500 for this purpose. The sum of £200,000 was voted by Parliament in aid of expenses under the Unemployed Workmen Act during the financial year ended 31st March last, and it is not now in my power to make further grants out of it.