HC Deb 17 February 1915 vol 69 cc1118-9
41. Mr. NIELD

asked the President of the Board of Education what provision has been made for the temporary employment and relief of the higher teaching grades of the musical profession, many of whom are university graduates and public school men and women, whose means have been all but wholly destroyed by the War and who are therefore suffering considerable distress, and yet are unable to make their positions known to those who administer the Prince of Wales' Fund through local committees?

The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Herbert Samuel)

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Provision has been and is being made by various voluntary organisations with which the Professional Classes Sub-Committee of the Government Committee for the Prevention and Relief of Distress are in frequent communication.

Mr. HOGGE

Will my right hon. Friend say if there is any chance of the Prince of Wales' Fund being put under a Government Committee?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

All grants for the relief of civil distress, as distinct from military and naval distress, are made on the advice of the Government Committee for the Prevention and Relief of Distress.

Mr. HOGGE

But will he not take steps for securing control of the whole Fund?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

Grants for assistance of families of soldiers and sailors are matters for the War Office and Admiralty, and questions relating to them should be addressed to those Departments.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me where I could find the names of the members of the Government Committee on the Relief of Distress?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

Yes, Sir, in the two White Papers, one on the measures taken immediately on the outbreak of war by the Local Government Board, and the second, which I presented a few weeks ago, on the work of the Local Government Board up to 31st December.