15. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Minister of Labour the numbers of unemployed at the present time in the Middlesbrough area; and the numbers a month ago and a year ago?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND:The number of persons on the registers of the Employment Exchanges in the. Middlesbrough area. was 11,675 at 20th April, 1925, compared with 11,452 a month ago, and 9.051 a year ago.
Mr. THOMSON:Arising out of that. considerable increase, can the Minister say whether he is prepared to give any increased grants to areas so badly hit, which cannot go on with unemployment schemes unless they have further assistance?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThat does not arise out of the question on the Paper.