§ 30. Sir K. WOODasked the Lord Privy Seal the amount that has been approved, since June last to date, by way of grant by the Unemployment Grants Committee to the Borough of Woolwich for the relief of unemployment?
Mr. THOMASI would refer the right hon. Member to the replies given to him on this subject on 2nd and 16th December, 1929, 21st January, 27th February and 3rd March, 1930, to which I have nothing to add.
§ Sir K. WOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these repeated inquiries were made to ascertain 1896 whether the borough council in question were obtaining any grants from the Unemployment Grants Committee to assist unemployment in the area; and is he also aware that, unfortunately, on each of the occasions to which he has referred, the answer he gave me was in the negative? Can the right hon. Gentleman do anything to assist the borough to induce the council to make some application in the matter?
Mr. THOMASIt is not for the Government to do that. The Government set out certain terms and conditions, already explained to the House, which, happily, are accepted by most authorities, and I suggest that the right hon. Gentleman should persuade his own local authority to come into line with the majority of the municipalities of the country.
§ Sir K. WOODIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that he flatters me too much; that I am afraid I have not the influence with the Socialist borough council which perhaps the right hon. Gentleman would have?