HC Deb 23 June 1931 vol 254 cc208-9
64. Sir BASIL PETO

asked the Minister of Labour what change has been made in the policy of granting assistance to schemes put before the Unemployment Grants Committee for new civic buildings; whether she is aware that schemes prepared in every respect according to the conditions in leaflet U.G.C. 26, and in the Unemployment Grants Committee's most recent-circular of March last by a number of council and municipal authorities have recently been refused; and whether she proposes to take any steps to make good the expense to which these authorities have been placed in the preparation of schemes now found to be abortive?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Lawson)

As stated by my right hon. Friend on 11th June last, further applications for grants in respect of municipal offices will no longer be entertained by the Unemployment Grants Committee. This does not affect applications already before the committee, which are being dealt with under the arrangements previously in force.

Sir B. PETO

Is the hon. Member aware that at a recent meeting of the committee nine such applications were received from municipalities and only one was passed? May I also ask whether he is going to do anything to meet the very heavy expenses thrown upon county councils and municipalities in preparing plans according to their own specifications, which they had every reason to suppose would be accepted?

Mr. LAWSON

I am afraid that the Department cannot accept financial responsibility for plans which do not meet the requirements of the Act.