§ 22. Mr. COCKSasked the Minister of Labour if he can give an estimate of the number of persons who have lost their employment, directly and indirectly, respectively, as the result of the abandonment, in pursuance of the Government's economy policy, of schemes of local development?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONWhile I am not in possession of any comprehensive figures I can say quite definitely that the alarmist reports on this subject which have appeared in the Press have no substantial foundation. The Government in recommending to local authorities that they should submit all items of expenditure to a careful and detailed scrutiny, expressly warned them against the dangers of embarking on a wholesale and ill-considered course of cutting down expenditure whatever be its character or its purpose. It is clear, in any event, that owing to commitments already entered into, there will in fact be a large 1230 volume of employment provided by local authorities during the coming winter. I venture also to remind the House that the effect of the economy measures upon employment should be judged, not in relation to the narrow area which they directly restrict, but with regard to this much wider field of industry as a whole; and here, while making due allowance for the various factors which have operated, I may fairly claim that our experience in the past few months has given us real ground for encouragement.
§ Mr. LAWSONHas not the Government definitely closed down works in connection with the Road Fund and transport?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONObviously that question should be addressed to the Minister of Transport.
§ Mr. LAWSONIf what I have stated is the case, is it not a direct contradiction of the answer the right hon. Gentleman has given.
§ Sir H. BETTERTONAny question with regard to roads and transport must be addressed to the Minister of Transport. I have endeavoured, to the best of my ability, to answer the question on the Paper.