§ 38. Mr. THURTLEasked the Minister of Labour whether his Department is taking any action with a view to providing useful productive work for unemployed workers during the next winter; and, if so, will he state the nature of such action?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIt is not the present intention of the Government to enter into any fresh programme of unemployment relief works during the coming winter, for reasons which have already been given to the House. The work of the Unemployment Grants Committee will, however, continue for the present, and State aid will be available for accelerated schemes of work promoted by local authorities in areas where unemployment is exceptional.
§ Mr. THURTLEDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider the programme already outlined is going to be sufficient to meet the needs of next winter?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am not yet aware of what the needs of next winter will be.
§ Mr. PALINGDoes that mean that the policy of cutting down the number of applications to the Unemployment Grants Committee is going to be pursued in the coming winter also?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI do not accept the definition of the hon. Member as to the existing policy.
§ Mr. PALINGIs it not a fact that of the number of applications to the Unemployment Grants Committee the number actually granted has been getting less and less each month the Government has been in office?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDNot necessarily in each month; but there have been fewer applications than there were some years ago.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWill the right hon. Gentleman say if anything is to be done in dockyard towns where the Government itself has been discharging men on a very large scale?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise here.
§ Mr. STEPHENIs the Minister not making any estimate with regard to the needs of next winter in connection with unemployment?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am always keeping track of the position, but no one in this world can make an estimate, worth calling an estimate, of what will be the state of affairs next winter. It depends on too many different factors.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that the circular he sent to the local authorities is discouraging them from sending in further schemes; and does he not think that that circular ought to be withdrawn and local authorities encouraged to provide productive work for men who are unemployed?
§ Mr. SULLIVANAs there are 1,067,000 unemployed in this country, does the Minister not consider that something should be done for these men.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must put that question down.