HC Deb 15 June 1933 vol 279 cc297-8
32. Sir WILLIAM JENKINS

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the representations made to him on behalf of 50 county councils asking him to proceed with schemes to provide work at wages for the unemployed, particularly able-bodied men who were in receipt of public assistance, what steps he has taken to ascertain from local authorities their requirements in housing, small holdings, water supplies, road improvements, reconstruction of bridges, land reclamation, land colonisation, and school buildings; and whether he will consider making a grant for every person for whom work is provided by local authorities?

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

As I said in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson) on Tuesday, the Government were not able to accept the proposal put forward by the Association for subsidising relief work by payments from the National Exchequer in respect of the employment of persons who would otherwise receive transitional payments or public assistance. My department is in continuous communication with local authorities about their requirements in relation to housing and water supplies, and loans for other purposes.

Mr. MACMILLAN

Is the hon. Member satisfied with the present rate of capital expenditure on loan account on subjects such as are mentioned in this question, and will the Department take steps to press upon local authorities the advantage of the present low money rates for developments of this kind?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

I think opportunity is always taken by local authorities to put forward sound revenue-producing schemes.

Sir ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUEL

Is my hon. Friend aware that the first persons to be consulted are the local ratepayers?