§ Mr. JOWITTasked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he has received resolutions, and, if so, how many, from local authorities protesting against the condition as to the rates of wages made by the Unemployment Grants Committee; and whether, in view of these representations, this condition will be withdrawn?
§ Sir M. BARLOWNot many complaints have been made of late, only four resolutions on the subject having recently been received from local authorities. The condition was made after full consideration and cannot be withdrawn.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESasked the Minister of Labour what was the total expen- 2974W diture by the Government Departments and local authorities concerned upon schemes of public work for the relief of unemployment on 1st December, 1922; what was the number of unemployed men engaged for the said schemes on 1st December, 1922; the sum that is estimated to be spent upon 1st January, 1923, upon 1st February, 1923, and upon 1st March, 1923, upon such schemes; and the number of unemployed that will be employed upon such schemes on the 1st day of the months of January, February, and March, 1923?
§ Sir M. BARLOWAccording to the available figures, the number of men directly employed on 4th December on work specially set in hand for the relief of unemployment was about 100,000, but of course these figures do not include those for whom employment was provided indirectly. I regret that the other figures asked for could not be obtained without very great labour.