Lieut.-Colonel V. HENDERSONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Bootle corporation are employing 130 men on road work, at full trade union rates, who were formerly in receipt of out-relief, on the understanding that the West Derby board of guardians pay to the council the amount formerly paid in out-relief, whilst the Unemployment Grants Committee pay 75 per cent. of the interest and sinking fund for half the period of the loan; and whether, in view of the resultant financial saving, he will consider the possibility of drawing the attention of other urban local authorities to this scheme?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have been asked to reply. I am aware of the arrangements mentioned in the question and have sanctioned the making of certain payments by the board of guardians. Arrangements of this kind, with or without the assistance of grants from the Unemployment Grants Committee have been made in a number of instances, and I am always willing to consider applications for any necessary sanction in respect of their initiation.