Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the provision of work for the large numbers of unemployed in Middlesbrough is being impaired by the continued delay on his part in sanctioning the purchase of foreign cement by the Middlesbrough Corporation, which they can secure for road-making purposes at 9s. 9d. per ton less than from the English cement combine; and, under these circumstances, can he see his way to issue his consent without further delay so that this work may not be debarred from assistance by the Unemployed Grants Committee?
§ Lord E. PERCYMy right hon. Friend has already more than once informed the hon. Member that this matter is within the discretion of the Unemployment Committee and not of his Department. I understand that the Committee wrote to the Town Council on 5th July agreeing to the use, for the present month, of Belgian cement on unemployment schemes; and, subject to certain conditions, they are prepared to entertain future applications for the use of foreign cement.