§ 56. Major MILNERasked the Lord Privy Seal whether a decision may now be given on the scheme for the relief of unemployment submitted four months ago by the Leeds City Council, involving an expenditure of £360,000 on useful work?
§ 57. Mr. DENMANasked the Lord Privy Seal if he is aware that last autumn the Leeds City Council submitted a scheme for undertaking and accelerating the construction of certain public buildings: and whether he will expedite a decision thereon?
Mr. THOMASThis scheme, which is for the construction of municipal buildings, is still under consideration. I hope to be able to announce a decision at an early date.
§ Mr. DENMANDoes the right hon. Gentleman recollect that the authority took great pains to be ready in three months to tart this work, and will he encourage virtue of that sort?
Mr. THOMASYes, but, equally, I will not budge from the position which I have taken of refusing to give public money to any local authority for work which they ought. legitimately to undertake themselves; and, in the case of municipal buildings, I do not propose to sanction Government money for marble staircases and that kind of thing. Consideration will be given, however, to any legitimate expenses for real public offices.