§ 24. Mr. CAMPBELL (for Mr. HANNON)asked the Minister of Transport the total amount now authorised by the Government for schemes for the relief of unemployment to be carried out under the auspices of his Department, and the latest available estimate of the total number of persons for whom employment has been found?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONSchemes of improvement and new construction of Class I and Class II roads and bridges approved in detail or in principle from 31st August, 1929, to 17th January, 1931, amount approximately to £54,250,000. The total volume of employment which will be afforded directly and indirectly by these schemes may be estimated at 217,000 man-years.
§ Colonel ASHLEYWhat proportion of the total sum is to be found by the right hon. Gentleman's Department?
§ Mr. MORRISONIt will depend on the nature of the work and the particular circumstances. Without notice, I could not give an average figure.
§ Mr. CAMPBELLWithin what time does the right hon. Gentleman expect that some of these people will get employment?
§ Mr. MORRISONThey will proceed with all possible speed.