HC Deb 29 October 1929 vol 231 cc1-4
1. Mr. DAY

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can give the House a Report of the estimated number of persons that have been found employment through the various schemes sanctioned by his Department since the adjournment of the House; and will he make a statement?

2 Mr. HANNON

asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) whether he is prepared to make a statement to the House on the progress which has been made in the promotion of schemes of railway electrification, more especially in relation to the London and North Eastern and the Southern Railways;

(2) the number of contracts which have been placed with British manufacturers in connection with schemes which he may have approved or promoted for the alleviation of unemployment since the 31st July last; the amount involved in such contracts; and the estimated number of persons for whom those contracts will provide employment;

(3) whether any schemes for the extension of railways, improvement of harbours, construction of roadways, or in connection with agriculture and forestry, have been undertaken in Colonial and mandated territories since the 31st July last; the financial commitments or guarantees involved; and the estimated value of the contracts placed in this country, or about to be placed, consequent upon these schemes being put into operation?

4. Viscount WOLMER

asked the Lord Privy Seal the approximate number of men and women whom he hopes to bring into employment this winter by reason of the assistance the Government have been able to give so far to industry under the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act and the Colonial Development Act, and the number who have already through these Acts found employment?

6. 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?

7 and 8. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLE

asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) if he can make any statement on the results of his visit to Canada for the purpose of stimulating emigration;

(2) the exact amount of money and the methods of expenditure under the different schemes sanctioned by Parliament this year for the relief of unemployment, giving in each case the total number of men who have been so employed?

33. Mr. SMITHERS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the £76,000,000 for which the Government took powers in July under the Development Grants and Guarantees Act and the Colonial Development Act has in fact been allocated to schemes for the relief of unemployment; what is the nature of those schemes; and how much has been allocated to each?

The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Mr. J. H. Thomas)

In order to afford the early opportunity which hon. Members desire for a full discussion on the points raised, it is proposed that the Vote for my salary should be put down early next week. I will then make a comprehensive statement to the House.

Mr. DAY

Has my right hon. Friend received the assistance he expected from private and other employers?

Mr. THOMAS

When one remembers that the powers sought by me were only given in the holiday season, in August, I am more than gratified with the response.

Mr. HANNON

Could not the right hon. Gentleman answer my question Number 2 with regard to railway electrification, as we want to know what he has done?

Mr. THOMAS

It is because so much is being done that I want the hon. Member to have a full statement next week.

Mr. SEXTON

Is it not a fact that the unemployment of musicians in the theatrical world has added to my right hon. Friend's difficulties?

Mr. THOMAS

I was not aware that my hon. Friend was out of a job.

Mr. ALBERY

May we understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that he will, in the course of that debate, reply in detail to all the questions on the Paper which he has now lumped together?

Mr. THOMAS

I will not only endeavour to do that, but I am quite sure there will be many more questions to answer that are not on the Paper.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

Does not the right hon. Gentlemen think it is an easy way of overcoming his difficulties to lump about 12 or 14 questions together?

Mr. THOMAS

I always take the easiest way of getting out of a difficulty.

Sir F. HALL

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that not only Members of the House of Commons but people throughout the country want to know what is going to be done and what is being done?