45. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Prime Minister whether, in order to enable local authorities to put in hand a larger amount of useful work for the absorption of the unemployed, the Government are prepared to undertake the necessary steps to enable local authorities to put in hand extended schemes of public utility works and, with the consent of the unemployed workers engaged thereon, utilise their unemployment benefit as a contribution towards their wages while so employed?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDSubstantial grants-in-aid of relief works put in hand by local authorities are already made through the Unemployment Grants Committee and otherwise. The procedure suggested by the hon. Member would be equivalent to an increased grant, and I do not think there is justification for this apart from any question of diverting the unemployment insurance funds to this purpose.
Mr. THOMSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many localities are unable to carry on at the present rate of grant, and is he not able to do something for them in view of their increasing burdens?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe question has already been considered by the Minister of Health and myself in connection with a deputation from the municipal corporations, and we have already stated that we have considered the matter carefully and have given our answer.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESDoes the answer imply that the scheme proposed by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Carmarthen (Sir A. Mond) has been definitely rejected?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member should put down that question.