23. Miss LEEasked the Lord Privy Seal the total amount of expenditure sanctioned by the Unemployments Grants Committee since 1st July, 1929; and what percentage of this sum will be spent on schemes to relieve unemployment in Scotland?
Mr. THOMASThe estimated cost of schemes submitted by local authorities in Great Britain and approved by the Unemployment Grants Committee since 1st July is approximately £22,000,000. This figure includes the scheme for the standardisation of electrical frequency on the North-East Coast, the estimated cost of which is £10,000,000. The schemes submitted by local authorities in Scotland and approved represent a total of £1,350,000. This, of course, is independent of schemes for classified roads.
Miss LEEI think the right hon. Gentleman will agree that the provision for Scotland is very unsatisfactory. Will he supplement it by schemes for slum clearance, immediately?
Mr. THOMASNo. I cannot agree with that statement. Contrary to usual experience, Scotland has been lacking up to now, in availing itself of the benefits of the schemes.
§ Mr. DICKSONCan the Lord Privy Seal tell us the total of schemes submitted for Scotland as compared with the schemes that have been approved?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODArising out of the right hon. Gentleman's reply that Scotland is not availing itself of the benefits of the schemes, is it not the case that Scotland has not availed itself of them because the conditions that the right hon. Gentleman is putting down, are not generous enough to meet the situation?