§ 36. Mr. SHORTasked the Minister of Labour whether he can enumerate the schemes for the provision of work for the unemployed initiated during the lifetime 374 of the present Parliament, the total expenditure involved, and the number of employed under such schemes?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDAs the answer is long and involves a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The principal schemes for the direct provision of work in relief of unemployment may be summarised as follows:
§ The Ministry of Transport have proceeded to make grants under the various programmes of road and bridge construction and improvement authorised. During the last 12 months grants have been indicated towards the cost of 388 schemes involving a total estimated cost of £6,126,024.
§ The Unemployment Grants Committee have continued to approve for grant schemes of public utility promoted by local and other authorities for the relief of unemployment, and have been authorised to offer financial assistance on the same basis towards the cost of approved schemes during this winter. During the last 12 months 2,303 schemes, estimated to cost £24,804,788, have been approved for grant.
§ During the winter of 1924/25 grants were made by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries towards the cost of schemes of land drainage, sea defence, and water supply to groups of farms. Altogether 462 such schemes were carried out at a total cost of £235,000. Work on these schemes generally terminated on the 31st May, 1925. Similar grants are being made for schemes of land drainage and water supply to be carried out during the winter months of 1925–26. Up to 7th November, 70 schemes have been approved at a total estimated cost of £28,000. In Scotland, grants towards the cost of land drainage schemes are made by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland. During the winter of 1924–25, 726 schemes, estimated to cost £88,100, were approved for grants. A similar programme has been authorised for the coming winter, and up to the present 246 schemes, estimated to cost £21,500, have been approved for grants.
§ Under the Trade Facilities Acts guarantees in respect of loans raised for 375 the purpose of carrying out capital undertakings calculated to promote employment in this country may be given up to a limit which was raised in April of this year to £70,000,000. During the last twelve months 60 schemes, estimated to cost £17,574,600, have been approved for guarantee under the Acts.
§ According to returns received, the number of men directly employed on the 31st October, 1925, is provisionally calculated as 95,373. This figure takes no account of the employment provided indirectly, e.g., in the preparation and transport of materials, etc.
§ 75. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Labour how many men are at present engaged on relief works and schemes, whole or part payment for which will come from national funds; how many schemes of work he has in hand for the coming winter, and what other proposals, if any. he has for dealing with the question of unemployment; can he inform the House how many training centres, urban or rural, have been opened for the reception of single men; and what are the wages hours, and conditions observed at these training centres?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDAccording to returns received, the number of men directly employed on the 31st October, 1925, is provisionally calculated as 95,373. This figure takes no account of the employment provided indirectly. In reply to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT of yesterday in connection with the question asked on the 16th November by the hon. and gallant Member for Southampton (Colonel Perkins). Two training centres, one urban (non-residential) and one rural (residential) have been opened. Training is limited to single men in the case only of intending oversea settlers. Men in training in an urban (non-residential) centre continue to draw unemployment benefit of otherwise entitled to it, and receive, in addition, an allowance of 2s. 6d. a week and a free midday meal. Men in a rural (residential) centre in training for employment in this country receive unemployment benefit and pay 13s. a week towards the cost of the board and lodging provided. Those in training for employment overseas do not receive unemployment benefit; they have free 376 board and lodging and a personal allowance of 5s. a week. The normal hours of training in the workshops are 44 a week, but these hours may be exceeded in the case of men in training for oversea employment. The general conditions at the centres are similar to those in an ordinary industrial factory or on a farm.
§ Mr. LANSBURYMay I ask whether Members of the House will be allowed to visit these two training centres?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDYes. I hope they will.
§ Mr. LANSBURYMay I also ask the right hon. Gentleman if any special arrangements are being made by his Department to meet the unprecedented distress that is arising in the Abertillery and other districts in the Monmouth coal area—in Blaenavon especially?