HC Deb 13 February 1930 vol 235 cc571-2
1. Mr. R. S. YOUNG

asked the Minister of Labour if she can give the names of the London Metropolitan Boroughs and other public bodies connected with London which have so far not accepted the Ministry's terms of assistance in regard to work schemes to absorb numbers of the unemployed; and the total amount of employment which would have been provided had these terms been accepted?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Miss Bondfield)

It will perhaps be more convenient if I give the names of the London Metropolitan Borough Councils and other public authorities connected with London which have accepted the Government's terms of assistance to relief works. They are as follow: The Borough Councils of Bermondsey, Bethnal Green, Finsbury, Hackney, Hammersmith, Poplar, Stoke Newington and Wandsworth, the London County Council, the Lee Conservancy Board, the Metropolitan Water Board, the Port of London Authority and the Thames Conservancy Board. I have no information which would enable me to answer the last part of the question.

Mr. YOUNG

Has the Minister any powers by which she can bring pressure to bear on any of the boroughs that have not adopted the scheme, in the interests of the unemployed?

Miss BONDFIELD

We have only the power of moral suasion.

Mr. HARRIS

Can the right hon. La[...] say if the borough councils that have n[...] accepted the scheme have refused to cooperate or have not answered!

Mr. MILLS

Can the Minister say whether the borough councils are objecting to the importation of what is called rationed labour?

Miss BONDFIELD

I should like to have notice of the question put by the hon. Member for South-West Bethnal Green (Mr. Harris), in order to give a complete reply. Broadly speaking, certain borough councils, very few in number, have objected to the transference conditions, but in other cases that objection has been removed after an interview, when the matter has been properly discussed.

Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

Does the right hon. Lady propose to take this matter up again with the councils which are not falling in with the general arrangements?

Miss BONDFIELD

We shall do our best to get them to agree.