§ 51. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Labour how many unskilled labourers were registered as unemployed at Metro politan Employment Exchanges on 12th January; how many men transferred from distressed areas outside the Metropolitan area have been found work in the Royal parks or elsewhere under schemes organised and paid for out of national funds; how many weeks' work is guaranteed the transferred men; what provision has been made to house these workmen; and is it proposed to arrange for the return fare of these men if, when the works are finished, they should find them selves out of employment?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the information asked for in the first part of the question as soon as it is available. As regards the second, third and fourth parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Tottenham, North (Mr. R. Morrison) on the 30th January. The only works of this nature entirely financed out of national funds are those in the Royal 1395 parks. As regards the last part of the question, I trust that the contingency which the hon. Member fears will not arise.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIf it does arise, will the Government see that the men are sent back; and is the hon. Gentleman aware that the ranks of casual labour are filled up by men who come to London for temporary work?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe hon. Gentleman's question is hypothetical; we shall, of course, deal with it if and when it arises.