§ 19. Mr. MILLARasked the Minister of Labour the number of schemes for relief of unemployment which have been submitted by local authorities in the Eastern Division of Fifeshire, specifying the works proposed to be carried out, and the number of schemes which have been so far approved?
§ Miss BONDFIELDSeven schemes have been submitted for relief of unemployment by local authorities in the Eastern Division of Fifeshire. Five of 304 these schemes have so far been approved. Two are still under consideration. The works which have been proposed are road works, water supply schemes, drainage and sewerage schemes.
§ 30. Mr. RAMSBOTHAMasked the Minister of Labour the total numbers of revenue-producing schemes and non-revenue-producing schemes, respectively, on which the Treasury has since the 1st June, 1929, guaranteed a proportion of interest and sinking charges; how many schemes of each kind there have been thus sanctioned; what is their aggregate cost; how many men from the distressed districts have thus found employment; what is normally the standard rate of wage of such men; and whether any differentiation in the case of such men is made between married and single?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe Unemployment Grants Committee has, since 1st June last, approved grants in respect of 220 non-revenue-producing schemes of a total capital value of £3,632,640, and 52 revenue-producing schemes of a total capital value of £906,370. As regards the fourth part of the question, I am obtaining the particulars, and will send them to the hon. Member. Wages upon relief works assisted by the Unemployment Grants Committee vary with the district, but are governed by the Fair Wages Resolution of this House. There is no differentiation between the wages of married and single men. With regard to the last part of the question, the majority of the men transferred for employment on these works are young single men, and married men are not sent forward unless suitable accommodation is likely to be available for them and their families. Where relief works are carried out in the depressed mining areas, the Unemployment Grants Committee normally require preference in employment to be given to married men or men with dependants.