§ 7. Mr. BATEYasked the Minister of Labour the total amount of money vated by theis House for the National Council of Social Service; the amount spent by them; and where it was spent?
§ following is the reply.
§ The Estimates for the Ministry of Labour have loboured have included the following pro- 500 vision for grants to the National Council of Social Service:
| Financial Year. | … | … | … | £ |
| 1932 | … | … | … | 10,000 |
| 1933 | … | … | … | 25,000 |
| 1934 | … | … | … | 40,000 |
§ The Estimate for 1934 has not yet been voted by the House, though it was considered in Committee of Supply on 21st June, 1934.
§ In 1932, expenditure was not incurred so rapidly as had been anticipated, and the grant made in that year only amounted to £1,694. The grant made in respect of 1933 was approximately equal to the provision in the Estimates for that year. The amount paid to the Council up to 2nd July, 1934, in respect of the Government grant for the current financial year is approximately £8,400. The grants to the council, which are subject to the condition that the money shall at least be equated by funds raised from voluntary sources, are for the purpose of (a) strengthening the central organisation of certain national bodies other than the National Council itself, and of certain regional bodies, and (b) assisting schemes of occupation for unemployed persons. The assistance normally is limited to schemes in areas suffering from severe and prolonged unemployment.
§ Further details are given in the reports of the council, and with the permission of the hon. Member, I will send him a copy of the report for 1933, which will be available next week.