HC Deb 12 November 1929 vol 231 cc1695-6
8. Mr. ALBERY

asked the Lord Privy Seal the amounts of any loans, guarantees, or subsidies for which His Majesty's Government has become responsible through the various schemes sanctioned by his Department since the Adjournment of the House?

20. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the estimated total cost of canal drainage, railway, and other improvement works which are proposed to be put in hand for the relief of unemployment and for the execution of which Parliamentary powers are required; in what respective proportions the Government, local authorities, and private enterprise will be responsible for carrying out such works; what is the number of men for whom employment will be found in connection with the various schemes and for what period; and what will be the annual saving in unemployment grants resulting from this absorption of labour?

Mr. THOMAS

In accordance with the announcement I made during the Debate on the 4th of this month, a White Paper is being prepared giving information on these matters.

Sir F. HALL

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the last part of Question 20 and tell me what will be the annual saving in unemployment grants resulting from this absorption of labour?

Mr. THOMAS

No one knows better than the hon. and gallant Member that it is impossible to answer that question, for the simple reason that when people are taken into employment employers do not usually ask: "Are you in receipt of unemployment benefit, or have you exhausted your benefit?" That is something which employés would resent being asked.

Mr. ALBERY

May I ask a question?

Mr. SPEAKER

Both the hon. Members who are asking these questions and the right hon. Gentleman who is replying seem to forget that there are 109 questions on the Order Paper.

Sir F. HALL

On a point of Order. This is the only question which I have put down.

Mr. ALBERY

In view of what you have just said, Mr. Speaker, may I most respectfully draw your attention to the fact that the delay is not occurring through supplementary questions alone, but is also due to the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has not only been answering questions but taking the opportunity of making speeches.

Mr. SPEAKER

I have referred to that already.