§ 130. Mr. HARRISasked the Minister of Labour how often last year the London Central Unemployed Body met; how many officials it employs; what was its revenue and expenditure; and what schemes it initiated to relieve unemployment?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have been asked to reply. As the answer is somewhat long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the answer:
The Central Body met on one occasion last year. In addition the Executive and Standing Committees met on 22 occasions. Five officials ranking as such are employed in London and at Hollesley Bay Farm Colony, while, including foremen and gangers, permanent employment is afforded on the Farm Colony to 114 farm and garden and works departments hands. An additional house staff—to the number of 12—are temporarily employed in duties in connection with the accommodation of the London unemployed men at the Colony. The revenue for the past year amounted to £36,628 19s. 3d.; of which £36,415 is in respect of revenue from farm and garden sales and other receipts in respect of Hollesley Bay Farm Colony. The expenditure amounted to £42,286 7s. 10d., of which £40,114 is expenditure in respect of the Farm Colony and £2,172 in respect of establishment charges. The excess expenditure over revenue was made good from balances amounting to £5,862 brought forward from the previous year. Since the policy was adopted of making direct grants towards the cost of provision of work to local authorities and not through the Central Body the provision of work by the Central Body has been 2597 confined to the promotion of adequate training and employment in connection with the existing activities carried on at Hollesley Bay Farm Colony. During the present year, in addition to the permanent and other employés referred to, employment at the Farm Colony has been provided for 933 London men for varying periods, representing in the aggregate 16,700 weeks' work.