An HON. MEMBER(who had not handed in his name at the table) asked the Minister of Labour the proportion of the sum voted by Parliament last autumn towards relief work for the unemployed which has now been actually expended; and whether he will consider employing the balance as soon as possible, since it is now more urgently needed than it may be during the summer months, when there will be increased opportunities of obtaining work?
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§ Mr. BETTERTONIt is not possible at the moment to state the sum actually expended on relief work, but my right hon. Friend indicated to the House on the 8th March, during the Debate on the Vote on Account, the amounts which had then been allocated from the sums set aside by the Government in November, 1922, for assisting local authorities during the winter 1922–23. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that local authorities are proceeding with approved schemes with all possible rapidity, and any further schemes which are submitted by them will receive the prompt and sympathetic consideration of the grant-making Departments.