§ 10. Mr.GROVESasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the very large number of able-bodied young men and women in the county borough of West 147 Ham who, having exhausted their unemployment national insurance benefits are now receiving financial assistance from the Poor Law union; and whether he is preparing any special schemes of work for this area in order that these young people can be absorbed in the industrial market?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland)I am not aware that there is any considerable number of unemployed persons in this area not drawing unemployment benefit other than those whose claims have been rejected by the local employment committee. If the hon. Member has in mind the recent requirement of a minimum number of contributions, I may point out that the total number disqualified under this requirement was between 60 and 70 in the whole of the West Ham Union, which is a good deal larger than the Borough of West Ham. As pointed out in my reply to the hon. Member's question of 25th February, the Departments concerned will give every consideration to applications for grants towards the cost. of schemes of public utility to be undertaken for the relief of unemployment in the district, if the local authority will submit its proposals.