HC Deb 15 March 1928 vol 214 cc2092-3
32. Mr. BLUNDELL

asked the Minister of Health how many distress committees under the Unemployed Workmen Act, 1905, are now functioning?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

According to the latest information in my possession, two distress committees are now functioning in the sense that they are active in the provision of work for the unemployed. One other committee incurred a small expenditure for this purpose in 1926–27. Three incurred during the year 1926–27 some expenditure (usually of small amount) in assisting emigration, and one other committee is understood to be commencing work of this nature.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Are those figures confined to England, or do they include Sootland?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I think these figures are for England only.

Mr. BATEY

Can the Minister say in which two districts these distress committees are operating?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Yes, the two functioning are in Bournemouth and Leicester; the one which incurred expenditure is in Norwich; the three which assisted emigration are Smethwick, Wallasey and Birmingham; and the one which is understood to be commencing the work of emigration is Manchester.

Mr. BATEY

Did I understand the Minister to say Bournemouth?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Yes.

Mr. LANSBURY

Can the Minister say whether the Central Unemployed Body for London is functioning?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

It is not on my list.

Mr. LANSBURY

But is it functioning? I did not ask whether it was on the list.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Will the hon. Member give me notice of that question?