§ 21. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons that have found employment under the schemes inaugurated by Sir Arthur Rose?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe number of individuals who have actually been given employment for varying periods under the Commissioner's schemes is not available, but the hon. Member will find on page 31 of the Commissioner's report for the period 1st July, 1935–31st December, 1935, estimates of the amount of direct employment expressed in men-years for various types of schemes.
§ Mr. MAXTONCannot we get something more definite and precise on this matter instead of the rather vague estimates of the report to which the Under-Secretary has referred?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEIf the hon. Member will see the report, he will appreciate the difficulty there is in estimating the number of individuals directly and indirectly employed. The number of schemes is set out, and he will get the nearest possible estimates of the number of men-years.
§ Mr. STEPHENIs it not the case that this is practically all we have got from the Commissioner in Scotland in the way of additional employment?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLENo, Sir. That is not the case at all.
§ Mr. McGOVERNWill the Under-Secretary not advise the Government to reconsider this matter, and instead give local authorities a sufficient amount of money to enable them to employ men on local schemes?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI am not at all satisfied that that is the proper view.