§ Mr. INSKIPasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware. that many local authorities in England are refraining from carrying Out road repairs and other necessary public works on the ground of economy; and whether the out-of-work donation could be more usefully spent if it were handed over to local authorities for the purpose of providing employment for persons in receipt of the donation on public works of an urgent and necessary nature?
§ Sir R. HORNEI would refer ray hon. Friend to the reply given to a question on the same subject asked by the hon. Member for Pontypool on 19th November last.
§ Mr. M'GUFFINasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the depression 946W in the linen trade of Belfast, by which thousands of workers are working halftime, and in view of the fact that the depression is due to the shortage of raw material through time Government's blockade policy in Russia, he will consider a scheme for augmenting the reduced incomes of the workers in this industry who rendered signal service to our Air. Force throughout the War in the manufacture of aeroplane cloth, and who, though anxi find it hard to exist on their present reduced earnings?
§ Sir R. HORNEI cannot hold out any hope that the Government will able to extend the payment of out-of work donation, but I understand that arrangements are being made for payments to work-people on short time in the linen trade out of funds provided by the trade itself.
§ Mr. CLYNESasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to a mass meeting held in Bristol on 30th November, at which resolution was passed expressing regret at his action ism withdrawing the unemployment donation before work had been found, and expressing regret that such action was taken without the local unemployment committee being consulted on the matter; Whether he is aware that in on the 21st November there were, according to the official lists, 6,681 persons unemployed; that this number included carpenters, bricklayers, masons, painters, painters, general labourers, and builders' labourers; that approximately 1,000 of the number were men skilled or usually employed in the allied building trades, and therefore specially suitable for such work as could be organised by the Government or public bodies; whether, in view of the housing scheme, he will consider the position of taking national action to utilise the services of men connected with the building trades who are at present unemployed; whether he is aware that the figures quoted for Manchester, Newcastle, and Bristol are typical of other industrial centres; and whether, in view of the seriousness of the position, he can now state what measures are to be adopted to provide immediate employment or to maintain those who, through lack of national organised effort, are unable to find employment for themselves?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have not received a copy of this resolution. On 21st November there were 6,931 persons drawing donation 947W at the Bristol Employment Exchanges. Of these, 4,901 were ex-members of His Majesty's Forces, and therefore not affected by the stoppage of civilian donation. Of the balance of 2,033 civilians, it is estimated that over one-half are entitled to unemployment benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, so that the total number for whom State donation or benefit is not provided is under 1,000. An analysis of the figures in other centres leads to similar results. The general question of the relief of distress is being investigated, but I do not think the figures quoted justify a demand for extraordinary measures. As regards the provision of employment by the State, the policy of the Government has been stated on many occasions and remains unaltered. With regard to the housing scheme in particular, the Government are taking various steps, as the right hon. Member is aware, with a view to stimulating and assisting private enterprise, and they are not aware of any other steps that could be taken which would be likely to be more beneficial in absorbing workpeople who are unemployed.
Mr. J. JONESasked the Minister of Labour whether a discharged soldier who obtained employment before he had exhausted his title to unemployment donation and who is now out of work as a result of the moulders dispute is entitled to the remainder of his unemployment donation as a discharged soldier?
§ Sir R. HORNEYes, Sir; provided he is not disqualified for donation under the rules relating to trade disputes. The effect of this rule was explained in an answer given to the hon. Member for Chippenham on the 23rd October last.
§ Sir M. DOCKRELLasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received from the national executive for Ireland of the Comrades of the Great War a resolution demanding that the women of Ireland who volunteered their services in the suppression of the common enemy should be eligible for the out-of-work donation as is the case in Great Britain; and, if so, does he propose to remedy this inequity between women of Ireland and those of Great Britain?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have been asked to reply to this question. I understand that the women referred to are the immobile members of the Women's Service Corps, who were treated for purposes of the out-of-work donation as civilians both in Great948W Britain and in Ireland, and in consequence were subject to the general limitation of the scope of civilian donation in Ireland. Inasmuch as civilian donation has now entirely ceased in all parts of the United Kingdom, there is no longer any disparity of treatment in the case of these women as between Great Britain and Ireland.