§ 33. Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make representations to the Unemployment Grants Committee urging upon them the necessity of more speedy action in sanctioning for grant schemes submitted to them by local authorities for the relief of unemployment?
Mr. THOMASI cannot accept the suggestion that the consideration of schemes by the Unemployment Grants Committee is in general unduly prolonged, especially in view of the inquiries that have to be made in respect even of the simplest application. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind and will supply me with particulars, I will have it examined.
§ Sir JOHN FERGUSONIs it not the case that this question has been before the House repeatedly, and that any delays in dealing with these applications are entirely due to local authorities putting forward imperfect information, and that the Department deals with these matters in a most efficient manner?
Mr. THOMASI am pleased to hear that testimony from one who has rendered useful service on the committee, and who knows perfectly well that week after week I have to answer questions reflecting upon the committee in regard to matters which are often the responsibility of other people.
§ Mr. HALL-CAINEMay I ask whether many of these schemes, especially the Liverpool schemes of late, have not been put forward in a proper manner, and that the Unemployment Grants Committee have been a very long time in giving grants for these schemes?
Mr. THOMASNo. It is quite easy to criticise, but, if you are expending public money, you have no right to be more loose in the expenditure of that money than you would be if it were your own money, and, although I have repeatedly to stand criticism, I am not going to ask any Government Department to go away from the principle of examining fairly and honestly every case on its merits, regardless of where it comes from or of who presses it.
§ Mr. HALL-CAINEAnd thousands of unemployed people are waiting for work.