HC Deb 09 February 1931 vol 248 cc26-8
78. Mr. MALONE

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of unemployment there must be in the necessitous areas selected for the 100 per cent. grant in respect of approved employment schemes to be undertaken during this winter; how many such areas there are in England and Wales; whether any areas which have applied for a grant have been refused; and, if so, on what grounds?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Miss Lawrence)

The general criterion adopted, as regards unemployment, was that there had been in the area an average unemployment among men of not less than 15 per cent. in each of three years. Account was also taken of the financial position of the authority, the general conditions prevailing in its area and the nature of the schemes proposed. The number of areas with unemployment up to the stated level which submitted proposals for, but were not given, grant was eight; and they were refused because they were not considered to have a sufficiently strong case compared with other areas. My right hon. Friend is obtaining for my hon. Friend the total number of areas in England and Wales which have had unemployment up to the stated figure.

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

Can the hon. Lady say whether there are any agricultural areas included in the answer?

Mr. MILLS

May I ask whether it is proposed to reconsider the lowering of the percentage where the remuneration level of the area is considered to be low?

Miss LAWRENCE

The money has, I think, all been allocated.

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

Can I have an answer to my question, whether any agricultural areas are included in the answer?

Miss LAWRENCE

From memory, I think not.

Mr. BATEY

Is it not the intention to get some more money for these areas? Is the hon. Member not aware that there are local councils in very distressed areas who have been refused assistance?

Miss LAWRENCE

As that Supplementary raises a much wider question I must ask the hon. Member to put it on the Order Paper.