§ 36. Mr. LUNNasked the President of the Board of Education the total amount allocated to the West Riding divisional committee for relief of distress in mining areas from the Lord Mayor's Fund up to the latest date?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Lord Eustace Percy)The total amount issued from the Lord Mayor's Fund to the West Riding divisional committee up to the 11th instant was £32,500.
§ Mr. LUNNIs there any restriction laid down as to what can be allocated to the West Riding, other than what is laid down for any other district? Is the Noble Lord aware that there are more than 20,000 miners unemployed in the West Riding?
§ Lord E. PERCYThere is no restriction.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSDoes the Noble Lord think that this sum is adequate to meet the known distress in the West Riding area?
37. Mr. BECKETTasked the President of the Board of Education if he has received any requests that Gateshead should be scheduled as a distressed mining area; if he is aware that there are six collieries employing normally about 12,000 men in the town; and whether he is considering any action to remove the position in which this mining community is placed in comparison with men of the same occupation living a mile away outside the town?
§ Lord E. PERCYGrants amounting to over £3,600 have been made by the divisional committee for the North Eastern coalfields to the education and health authorities in Gateshead, and the education authority is also receiving assistance in the matter of school feeding. I understand that the committee received a request from Gateshead for assistance in other ways, and that the committee did not feel able to comply with this request. I am making further inquiries, and will let the hon. Member know the result.