§ 32. Mr. SHAKESPEAREasked the Minister of Labour the estimated number 1016 of persons who have been given direct employment by emergency schemes initiated by the present Government?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe number of men directly employed on the 26th September, the latest date for which returns are available, on all schemes assisted by the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Unemployment Grants Committee, and approved since the 1st June, 1929, was 62,000. Figures of the men directly employed on work authorised under Part I of the Development Act and under the Colonial Development Act, and under the emergency programmes of work put in hand by other Departments, cannot be stated precisely, but probably amount to about another 10,000. In addition, there were about an equal number of persons indirectly employed as the result of these schemes.
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREWill the right hon. Lady say why last week the Lord Privy Seal said that there were 150,000 directly employed?
§ Miss BONDFIELDDirectly or indirectly.
§ Mr. SHAKESPEARENo, he said directly. The Prime Minister said indirectly.
§ Sir ARTHUR STEEL-MAITLANDLast week we had given us the figure of 150,000 or 160,000. Can the right hon. Lady tell us how that figure can be explained as being employed either directly or indirectly in view of the figure which she has given?
§ Miss BONDFIELDIf the right hon. Gentleman is referring to the Prime Minister's speech, he will see that he distinctly said "directly or indirectly."
§ Mr. CAMPBELLCan the right hon. Lady tell us what these schemes cost?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI must have notice of that question.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKAre any women employed?
§ 39. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Minister of Labour the aggregate indebtedness by which schemes carried out for the relief of unemployment since 1st June, 1929, to date have added to the rate burdens of the country?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI regret I cannot give a reliable estimate on this point. A large proportion of the schemes are revenue-producing and all are calculated to promote economic development. It is difficult therefore to say in advance how far they are likely to result in an increase in the burden of the rates.