45. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the considerable increase in unemployment in the heavy iron and steel trade districts, the Government will authorise the Unemployment Grants Committee to increase the percentage grant of financial assistance for any schemes for the relief of unemployment submitted by these areas?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs stated in the reply given to the hon. Member for Lincoln on the 18th December last, preference is given by the Unemployment Grants Committee to all schemes which are calculated to promote employment in depressed industries, from whatever part of the country they are submitted. I think that this method of dealing with an admittedly difficult position is much preferable to giving special terms to particular areas, the delimitation of which would in any case present very great difficulties. As regards the general measure of Government assistance to such schemes, the terms have been improved on several occasions and are on a generous scale.
Mr. THOMSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that since 18th December the percentage of unemployment has increased considerably in these areas, and, in view of this new factor, is it not possible to increase the percentage allowance to these distressed districts?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat shall be looked into, as all these points are being looked into, by those who are charged with dealing with the unemployment problem. I shall ask to have it done.