27. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, owing to the Unemployment Grants Committee having refused to allow the Middlesbrough Corporation to buy French cement at 39s. per ton and having compelled them to buy British cement at 50s. 2d. per ton, a heavy extra burden has been placed on Middlesbrough ratepayers; and will the Government reconsider their policy of prohibiting local authorities from buying in the cheapest market when the difference exceeds over 11s. per ton or, failing that, will they recompense such local authorities by extra grants from the Unemployment Grants Fund?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am informed that since November, 1923, the Unemployment Grants Committee have stipulated for the use of British cement as one of the conditions of Government assistance. I see no ground for making a change of policy in this connection.
Mr. THOMSONMay I ask why these particular ratepayers should be called upon to subsidise the unemployed in another district, when their own unemployment is very serious?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIt is only fair that whenever ratepayers in any district come to the Government for a 1405 grant from Government funds, the purpose for which it should be given should not prejudice the employment of their fellow-citizens in other parts of the country.
§ Mr. HARRISIs it not a fact that most of the cement factories are in the hands of combines and trusts?
§ Mr. RADFORDCan the right hon. Gentleman state to what extent the present position of unemployment in this country is due to persons buying cheap foreign manufactures rather than British?