HC Deb 23 November 1914 vol 68 cc764-5
38. Mr. ROWLANDS

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Local Government Board have authorised the Foots Cray urban district to raise a loan of £2,050 for the purpose of erecting council offices; whether the council applied to the Public Works Loan Board for the loan and received a reply that they were unable to lend owing to the limited amount of funds placed at their disposal; and, whether, in view of the desirability of creating means of employment at the present time, an arrangement can be made to meet such cases?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Montagu)

After full consideration it has not been found possible to relax the existing restrictions on advances from the Local Loans Fund; but in cases where serious unemployment exists in the building trade arrangements are being made for direct Exchequer loans to provide funds for housing and public works.