HC Deb 24 February 1926 vol 192 c515
61. Mr. A. V. ALEXANDER

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is a danger that the Sheffield school for juvenile unemployed may be closed owing to the decision of the Ministry of Labour not to pay the whole cost of maintenance; and, if so, whether he will reconsider this decision?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Scales of grant for the year 1926–27 in respect of juvenile unemployment centres were notified to local education authorities on 25th January last. The scale applicable to Sheffield is a per capita grant equal to three-quarters of approved expenditure of the authority during the year to 30th September, 1925, or 75 per cent. of the actual approved expenditure during the coming financial year, whichever the authority may prefer. These scales of grant are of general application and cannot, I am afraid, be modified; I trust, however, the Sheffield authority will see their way to continue their centres on the terms offered.

Mr. ALEXANDER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that those figures take no account of the large number of juveniles unemployed who are not registered at the Exchanges?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The grant is made on the number of people who actually attend the centres. There is always a grant towards the centres.