§ 13. Sir K. WOODasked the Minister of Labour whether she can state the number of people who are in work and who before Christmas it is anticipated will be in employment and for what periods, respectively, as a result of the present Government's State-aided schemes for mitigating unemployment?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI would refer the right hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal in the debate last night.
§ Sir K. WOODCannot the right hon. Lady state exactly what these figures are?
§ 53. Sir A. POWNALLasked the Prime Minister what steps he has taken during the Recess with a view to the mitigation of unemployment?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)Throughout the Recess every effort to stimulate useful work has been made, as is evidenced by the fact that at this moment 160,000 persons are directly or indirectly engaged on work sanctioned by the Government. Moreover, important negotiations affecting the cotton and steel trades have been and are taking place in addition to the measures foreshadowed in the Gracious Speech from the Throne.
§ Sir A. POWNALLCan the Prime Minister say whether the figure of 160,000 shows any increase as compared with the figure of three months ago?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMay I correct what I said. I have a suspicion that it is direct and indirect labour. I said direct. It shows a very substantial increase on the figures during the summer.
§ Sir ARTHUR STEEL-MAITLANDCan the right hon. Gentleman give us the number of people who are being found work direct as distinct from those who are being found work indirectly?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf that question is put down an answer will be given.
Viscountess ASTORCan the Prime Minister tell us whether during all this time any work has been found for the large number of women who are unemployed? Up to now not one single thing has been done.
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Noble Lady I am sure is interested in the subject by the question she has put, and I will give an answer to it.
§ 55. Colonel ENGLANDasked the Prime Minister if he will state in detail the purposes to which were applied the various sums, totalling £120,000,000 sterling, which have been approved by the Government since it took office for the purposes of unemployment relief work?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government propose to circulate a White Paper at an early date giving full information on this subject.