§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Health whether any decision has been reached on the question of some temporary assistance to distressed areas pending the coming into force of the Government's arrangements in regard to the able-bodied unemployed.
Sir H. YOUNGYes, Sir. The suggested scheme of temporary assistance which I outlined to the House on 12th April last, has formed the subject of discussion with representatives of the London County Council and the principal associations of local authorities. The local authorities, while not questioning the case for some assistance to the latter areas, took exception to the principle of contribution, even indirectly and on a temporary basis, by the more prosperous to the less prosperous areas. The resulting position has been considered by the Government, and they have decided to submit to the House in due course a Supplementary Estimate for a grant of £500,000 for the assistance, during the present year, of distressed areas in England and Wales, and in Scotland.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEWould the sum which the Minister has just named be equivalent to the halfpenny rate which it was suggested should be contributed by 938 the more prosperous areas; and, in view of the fact that the authorities in the more prosperous areas have not seen their way to accept that suggestion, would he say what this amount would be equivalent to in those terms?
Sir H. YOUNGAs to the equivalence of the sum of £500,000 to this or to that other suggestion, I think that is a matter for argument which can best be dealt with when I introduce the Supplementary Estimate.
§ Mr. LOGANIs it possible for the right hon. Gentleman now to bring in a Bill for the equalisation of rates, in view of the nature of the reply?
§ Mr. LANSBURYWill the right hon. Gentleman lay a White Paper on the Table giving us particulars of the amount of money which he asked the opulent areas to provide and a comparison with the proposal which the Government are now making; and will he also tell us when it is proposed to bring in the Supplementary Estimate?
Sir H. YOUNGI will certainly give full consideration to the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman. It does not appear to me at first sight that there is much to explain, but I will certainly see whether there is anything in relation to it which can be usefully conveyed to the House in the form of a White Paper. As to the date of the introduction of the Supplementary Estimate, that is a question which ought to be put to the Leader of the House.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEWill the right hon. Gentleman, between now and the time when he is to receive a deputation later this afternoon, satisfy himself as to whether the amount he has named will be equivalent to the proceeds of the proposed halfpenny rate?
§ Mr. DICKIEIs it the considered judgment of the Government, in view of the enormous distress which exists and which Members representing distressed areas have brought to the notice of the House repeatedly during the last 12 months, that £500,000 is an adequate sum?
§ Mr. BATEYAre we to understand that the Supplementary Estimate is only for the current year, and that the Minister then proposes to bring in permanent legislation to deal with this question, apart from the Unemployment Insurance legislation?
Sir H. YOUNGIf the Bon. Member considers the terms of my answer, he will see that it refers to a scheme of temporary assistance for the current year only.