HC Deb 15 July 1924 vol 176 cc206-7
46. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSON

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the Government have refused to give special grants to necessitous areas where unemployment is above the average of the rest of the country, he will authorise the Unemployment Grants Committee to give more sympathetic consideration to schemes for the employment of the workless submitted by local authorities under existing regulations?

Mr. CLYNES

Special consideration is already being given to schemes submitted by local authorities of areas with excessive unemployment, and also to schemes submitted by other local authorities where these are calculated to provide work in such areas.

Mr. HOPE

May I suggest that special consideration should be given to those areas where there is a large working-class population who are unable to obtain work?

Mr. CLYNES

That suggestion is well worth consideration.

Mr. THOMSON

Will instructions be given that more sympathetic consideration should be extended in future than has been given in the past to reducing the standard and in giving more grants?

Mr. CLYNES

I will present that view in the proper quarter.

Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a grossly unfair proportion of these cases is being thrown on the local authorities, and that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has always refused to take his proper share of the burden?

Forward to