§ 62. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the Minister of Labour whether he 2280 has received a further communication from the Dawlish Urban District Council concerning the refusal of the Unemployment Grants Committee to sanction certain schemes put forward for the relief of unemployment; whether he is aware that these schemes were put forward in consequence of his letter of 30th March, 1925; whether they were in accordance with the terms of this letter; and, if so, whether he will use his influence to obtain, sanction for some of these schemes in order that the men may be given useful employment which will be of benefit to the town, instead of being forced to draw unemployment benefit?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The letter from the Unemployment Grants Committee of 30th March, 1925, asked for schemes to be submitted by the 1st August and in any event not later than 1st September, 1925. The Dawlish Urban District Council's schemes were not submitted until 24th December, 1925. As stated in answer to a previous question by my hon. and gallant Friend on the 4th March, the Committee were unable to approve the schemes for grant, as unemployment in the area cannot be regarded as exceptional.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that at the time when these schemes were put in, the amount of unemployment was exceptional in proportion to the population?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo, Sir, I was not aware of that; but from the information I have received I gather there is no doubt that the unemployment in Dawlish now can, fortunately for them, not be regarded as exceptional.
§ Mr. PALINGIs it the considered policy to cut down the number of these applications under the Unemployment Grants scheme.
§ Mr. BETTERTONI must refer the hon. Member to the Debate on this subject about three weeks ago.