§ 28. Miss WILKINSONasked the Minister of Labour whether he has now received an estimate of the number of persons who will be no longer entitled to benefit at the Middlesbrough Employment Exchange after April of this year; and, if not, whether he can obtain these figures?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI cannot give any figures, but there is no reason, so far as I am aware, for expecting any great change.
§ Miss WILKINSONIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the board of guardians had to make a large call upon the rates in anticipation of the number who will be turned off unemployment benefit, and is it not likely, therefore, that a, very considerable number will be turned off?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI consider that, on the whole, I can form a, better anticipation than the board of guardians.
§ 29. Miss WILKINSONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that about 100 able-bodied men under 30 are detained at the Holgate Poor Law institution of Middlesbrough; and whether, in view of the trades of the town being unlikely, in the near future, to absorb these men, he is prepared to authorise any schemes of training which will enable them to earn their living and remove them from the rates?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI will have inquiries made and communicate again with the hon. Member.