§ Mr. A. SHAWasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the severity of unemployment is increasing in Newmilns, Galston, and Darvel; whether communications have been received from the councils of these burghs offering to undertake public works of utility in order to relieve unemployment if assistance is given from the public fund set apart for that purpose; and what answer has been given to their representations?
§ Sir M. BARLOWRepresentations have been received from the local authorities of Newmilns and Darvel, asking for financial assistance for schemes of public works to relieve unemployment. The position was also discussed at a conference on 31st December, when representatives of these and other neighbouring districts were received by myself at the Ministry of Labour, and the conditions under which financial assistance might be obtained were explained. The Local Authority of Darvel has been advised to submit their scheme of employment to the Unemployment Grants Committee, and has been informed that the Ministry of Labour 557W would be prepared to certify that serious unemployment exists in this area. In the case of Newmilns, investigation showed that the percentage of unemployment was considerably below the standard which would justify the Department in issuing a certificate of serious unemployment, and the local authority was accordingly informed that a certificate could not be issued. I do not appear to have received any separate representations as to the unemployment position in Galston.