HC Deb 06 December 1932 vol 272 cc1415-6
37. Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNE

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give particulars of arrangements, made under the auspices of his Department, between boards of guardians and rural district councils under which persons suffering from unemployment have been engaged in road work on a payment from the guardians to the councils on an agreed scale towards the wages of the men concerned; and whether these arrangements have been extended or curtailed?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)

My right hon. Friend is informed that, before the boards of guardians were abolished, there were arrangements in 12 unions for contributions by boards of guardians towards the wages of men who, having applied for relief, were given employment on roads by rural district councils. Under the Local Government Act of 1929 the county councils have become the highway authorities in rural areas, and the arrangements with rural district councils have, therefore, ceased.

Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNE

Is it not the case that, in the 12 instances which the hon. Gentleman has quoted, the arrangement worked satisfactorily and gave employment to a number of men; and cannot the Minister of Health arrange with the county councils who have now taken the place of the boards of guardians to continue and extend the system?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

The general policy is contrary to the policy laid down by my right hon. Friend.

Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNE

If, in fact, the system did give employment, cannot the Minister reconsider his policy?

Mr. LANSBURY

Is it not the fact that for many years past, since 1886, acting on the circular issued by the late Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, local authorities have again and again been invited to do this exact thing by the predecessors of the present Minister of Health; and why cannot it be done now?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

That may be so, but there are obvious objections and the question of the subsidising of wages is involved, which cannot be debated now. For these and other reasons, the present policy of my right hon. Friend is against such a course.

Mr. LANSBURY

Will the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to read over again the circular issued by the late Mr. Joseph Chamberlain on that subject, and the numberless circulars issued by other Ministers of Health and presidents of the Local Government Board?

Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTE

Is it not the case that certain county councils are now considering this matter especially with a view to helping agricultural labourers who are out of work; and are we to understand that the Minister of Health is going to oppose such proposals