HC Deb 31 March 1926 vol 193 cc2022-3
23. Mr. R. MORRISON (for Mr. SCURR)

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the unreliability of the live register as an indication of the extent of juvenile employment, he will see his way to defer his intended reduction of the grants to local education authorities in respect of their expenditure on the provision of juvenile employment centres?

Sir A. STEEL-MA1TLAND

The test adopted is the percentage of insured juveniles unemployed. This is, I think, sufficiently reliable for the purpose required, namely, that of comparing one area with another.

24. Mr. MORRISON (for Mr. SCURR)

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the statements regarding the increase of crime amongst juveniles due to the effects of unemployment made by the Governors of Cardiff, Durham, and Hull Prisons contained in the Report of the Prison Commissioners; and whether, in view of these statements, he will postpone beyond 1st April, 1926, the operation of the proposed reduction of grants to local education authorities in respect of their expenditure on juvenile unemployment centres?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I am aware of the statements to which the hon. Member refers. I have endeavoured, in the scheme which comes into force on 1st April, to provide that no reduction in grant will be made in those areas in which the incidence of unemployment amongst juveniles is severe.

Mr. LANSBURY

Would the right hon. Gentleman say why they cut down the grant to the East End of London, where the percentage of unemployment is very heavy?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

We have taken into account the degree of unemployment. I think that the official figures are a correct reflection by which we can judge, and we have attempted to frame our course of action accordingly.

Mr. LANSBURY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a voluntary investigation made by people at Toynbee Hall reveals that over 600 of these lads and young men are out of work and have nowhere to go, and that the right hon. Gentleman is shutting up the institutions that were open to them?