§ 20. Mr. SHORTasked the Minister of Labour, whether he can enumerate the schemes for the provision of work for the unemployed initiated by the various Ministries during 1927; the total expenditure involved; and the number of unemployed absorbed in consequence?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThese schemes are initiated by local authorities. During the year 1927 the Ministry of Transport have made grants in respect of 268 schemes of the estimated cost of £6,080,197, and the Unemployment Grants Committee have approved for grant 68 schemes of the estimated cost of £1,649,768. The number of men who have obtained employment in respect of the schemes in question cannot be stated, but in accordance with the monthly returns received the average number employed on schemes in operation during 1927 was 26,629.
§ Mr. SHORTDo I understand the Government have not initiated any schemes and that all these schemes have been initiated by the local authorities?
§ Sr A. STEEL-MAITLANDThat is the habitual procedure.
§ Mr. PALINGCan the right hon. Gentleman say how the number employed compares with 1926?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDNo, Sir.
Viscountess ASTORDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that local authorities, who are up-to-date, are better able to deal with the necessities than the Government are themselves?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDAt least, they know the local conditions.