HC Deb 29 January 1931 vol 247 cc1123-4
20. Mr. HALL-CAINE

asked the Minister of Labour the number of people directly employed at the present time upon schemes of work for the relief of unemployment in Liverpool for which grants have been made, excluding those working upon schemes submitted by the Mersey Side Dock and Harbour Board?

Mr. LAWSON

Returns received in respect of State-assisted schemes—excluding those mentioned in the question—in operation in the Liverpool area on 19th December, 1930, show that 3,378 men were directly employed on that date.

Mr. HALL-CAINE

Does my hon. Friend not consider this a very small number, seeing that Liverpool has the largest number of unemployed of any city in England, with the exception of London, and cannot he make representations to the Liverpool City Council to press forward the schemes which have been sanctioned?

Mr. LAWSON

There are two parties to these schemes, and my right hon. Friend has indicated them. It is for the local authority to put the schemes in hand.

21. Mr. HALL-CAINE

asked the Minister of Labour the gross amount of the schemes that have been submitted for grant and in proper order by the Liverpool City Council since 6th November, 1930, for the relief of unemployment; and the amount of money that has been sanctioned by the Unemployment Grants Committee for the relief of unemployment in Liverpool since 6th November, 1930?

Mr. LAWSON

Since 6th November, 1930, the Liverpool Corporation have submitted to the Unemployment Grants Committee five schemes of work for the relief of unemployment, estimated to cost £56,483. Since the same date, four schemes of work submitted by the Corporation, of an estimated total cost of £21,466, have been approved for grant on the recommendation of the Committee.

Mr. HALL-CAINE

Will my hon. Friend make representations to the Liverpool Corporation to press forward these schemes and get on with the job so as to get more men employed?

Mr. LAWSON

It is for the local authorities to go ahead with the schemes once they have been sanctioned.

Viscountess ASTOR

Do these schemes include any work for any women at all?

Mr. LAWSON

That all depends on the local authority.

Viscountess ASTOR

It ought to depend on the Government.