§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the fact that at the last meeting of the West Ham Town Council consideration was given to the circular from the Unemployment Grants Committee asking for a. programme of the works proposed to be put in hand for the relief of unemployment 1707W during the ensuing winter, and that the council decided that it was not financially in the position to undertake any further contributions to schemes; whether he is aware that West Ham is one of the most necessitous areas, and that recently several large industrial works have closed down and the guardians are compelled to ask for a local rate of 9s. 6d. in the £; and whether, as there seems no prospect, of early improvement industrially, he will make substantially increased grants towards local relief schemes?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI am not aware that the West Ham Town Council have reached the decision stated in the question, but a communication from the Council dated 25th June has been received supporting a suggestion made by the Middlesbrough Town Council that increased grants towards the cost of relief works should be given. As I have previously stated, I am afraid I cannot hold out any hope that it will be possible to offer more favourable rates of grant than those generally in operation.