HC Deb 09 November 1927 vol 210 cc177-9
12. Mr. LUNN

asked the Minister of Labour what are the schemes of work, and approximate cost of such schemes, approved by the Government, to assist unemployment during this winter?

Mr. BETTERTON

The number of schemes in operation on the 24th September, 1927, in respect of which grants had been approved by the Unemployment Grants Committee or the Ministry of Transport was 603, employing 25,025 men. In addition, there were 86 schemes which had been approved, but on which work had not commenced at that date.

Mr. LUNN

In view of the answer which I got yesterday to the effect that there are over 1,000,000 unemployed and 230,000 miners unemployed in this country to-day, is it a fact that all the Government can do to deal with this problem is to accept schemes providing employment for 25,000 people, with winter weather approaching?

Mr. BETTERTON

That raises a question of policy. I might inform the hon. Gentleman that there has been no change of policy and no diminution in the number of schemes this year as compared with last year.

Mr. LUNN

How far are the Unemployed Grants Committee going forward with any work at all?

Mr. BETTERTON

I have already stated the number of schemes which have been approved and the number of men employed on them. I am afraid that I cannot go beyond that without notice.

Mr. PALING

Is it not a fact that there are less people employed under these schemes now than at any time during the last three years?

Mr. BETTERTON

Again, I cannot say without notice how the numbers compare with last year. The totals for last year are available if the hon. Member likes to put down another Question.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Will the Department make inquiries from Sir John Campbell who has been recently in charge of the settlement of unemployment in Greece as to the methods employed there, using British capital and British brains to meet an exactly similar problem?

Mr. SPEAKER

The right hon. and gallant Member had better put that Question down on the Paper.

Mr. WILLIAMS

In view of the persistent increase in the number of unemployed, are we to understand that no change has taken place with regard to the grants by the Unemployment Grants Committee between 1926 and 1927?

Mr. BETTERTON

I cannot accept as accurate the statement made in the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question. With regard to the second part, the circular which governs these grants is still in operation and has not been altered since the date when it was first issued a few years ago.

Mr. PALING

Is it not a fact that it seems to be more difficult to-day to get an unemployment grant under this circular than ever it has been during the last three or four years?

Unemployment Insurance—Great Britain. Period 3rd January to 24th October, 1927.
Claims to Benefit.* Benefit (approximately). Contributions (approximately).
£
Men 5,362,788 £29,400,00 Employers 3,300,000
Women 1,429,206 Workpeople 11,400,000
Juveniles 319,311 Exchequer 9,600,000
7,111,305 £34,300,00
*Including repeat claims made by the same individuals. Separate figures for standard and extended benefit claims are not available, but of the total number of males in receipt of benefit at 4th April, 1927, approximately 53 per cent. were in receipt of standard benefit. The corresponding percentage for females was 83 per cent.