HC Deb 24 November 1926 vol 200 cc386-7
27. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSON

asked the Minister of Labour the total amounts paid in out-of-work donation and in unemployed benefit from the date of the Armistice to the present time?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland)

The total sums paid in the eight years from the date of the Armistice to 13th November. 1026, by way of out-of-work donation and unemployment benefit are approximately as follow:

£
Out-of-work donation … 62,448,000
Unemployment benefit … 275,137,000

Mr. THOMSON

In view of the tremendous sum of £300,000,000, which has been paid over without service rendered, will the Government consider in future the making of larger grants for unemployment relief works, so that there may be some tangible result for the expenditure of all this public money?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I do not see how that arises out of this question, but, at any rate the policy of the Government has been already stated, and I think it is quite clear.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any Liberal candidates are on this list?