Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Minister of Labour the aggregate amount of assistance which has been given by the Unemployment Grants Committee towards schemes intended for the relief of distress; how many such schemes have been assisted; and how much of the original sum of money remains available for the purpose?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERThe Committee have authorised schemes on which the grants, on the basis of 60 per cent, of wages, would amount to £2,630,000 in respect of 2,061 schemes. Grants on the loan basis have been made in respect of a capita] expenditure of £22,600,000 for 2,415 schemes. The funds at the disposal of the Committee will be sufficient to enable grants to be given for further schemes of a total capital cost of £7,300,000.
§ Sir W. SUGDENasked the Minister of Labour what action he is taking in respect to utilising unemployed labour economically in trade and industry when properly supplying relief to the unemployed; and will he allow municipalities, urban districts, and cities to obtain work and labour on approved trade schemes in return for such financial relief?
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§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERIt is the policy of the Government to encourage the provision of work for the unemployed to the greatest practicable extent. The arrangements proposed for giving assistance to approved schemes will be explained in the course of the Debate this evening.
§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Minister of Labour if he will give the latest complete figures of the expenditure of the central government upon relief work, in continuation of his figures supplied on 19th May, 1922?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI hope to be able to deal with this matter in the course of the Debate on the Address.