HC Deb 22 November 1927 vol 210 cc1593-4
59. Mr. T. THOMSON

asked the Minister of Transport the number of persons employed on road schemes assisted by the Ministry for the relief of unemployment in October of last year and at the present time?

The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley)

The question is one which falls to be answered by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, who has asked me to reply on his behalf. According to returns received, 16,108 men were employed on the 30th October, 1926, on major schemes of road improvement and construction approved by the Ministry of Transport for Government grant. The number of men employed at the 29th October, 1927, was 12,354.

Mr. PALING

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the main reason for this decrease?

Colonel ASHLEY

The reason for the decrease is that the programme is approaching completion, but we have still considerable work to carry out.

Mr. PALING

Is it not a fact that the number of local authorities who are asking to be allowed to proceed with work under these schemes is growing, and that scores of the schemes are turned down?

Colonel ASHLEY

The schemes that are turned down are what I may call the 100 per cent. schemes, in which the Road Fund has to find all the money and the local authority finds none.

Mr. PALING

Is not the reason why they are turned down, that the local authority has not the money?

Colonel ASHLEY

No, Sir.

Mr. BATEY

May we expect an increase in the number of men employed on road schemes during the winter?

Colonel ASHLEY

If the hon. Member will put down a Question, I will give him an answer.