§ 35. Mr. HARRISasked the Minister of Transport why he refused financial assistance to the schemes for repaving works in classified roads which the Bethnal Green Borough Council proposed to carry out in order to relieve unemployment; whether there is any reason to believe that there is a decrease in unemployment in the borough; and, if not, why help was refused this year, although accorded last year?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am not aware of any application having been refused for assistance towards paving works on classified roads in Bethnal Green. The borough council have, however, been informed that there are no moneys available for grants towards the cost of works on urban streets, which are not included in Class I or Class II, and which possess little more than local importance. I understand that assistance was rendered last year from moneys at the disposal of the Unemployment Grants Committee, but there are no funds available from the Road Fund for works of this nature.
§ Mr. HARRISIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that application was made to the Unemployment Grants Committee, and the answer was that all these roads were now in charge of the Department; and is he further aware that double the amount is now being spent on outdoor relief, and that, therefore, the need for relief works is very much increased?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI think the hon. Member has been misinformed as to the answer about all the roads being in charge of my Department. That is not so; they are in charge of the local authority. As to the other point, the 1672 Unemployment Grants Committee this year have not the money for this particular work that they had last year.
§ Mr. HARRISIs it suggested that the amount of money given by the Government has to be reduced because there is a decrease of unemployment or on grounds of economy?