HC Deb 20 December 1928 vol 223 cc3238-40W
Mr. W. PRESTON

asked the President of the Board of Education whether local relief funds will be entitled to expect, if their needs justify it, contributions from the Mansion House Fund?

Lord E. PERCY

Local relief funds which are raised for the same purposes as the Lord Mayor's Fund will, I hope, be closely co-ordinated with that Fund, but the form in which the central and local funds can best co-operate will vary according to the circumstances. Inquiries on such points from those responsible for local funds should be addressed to the Coalfields Distress Funds Organisation. The Lord Mayor's Fund cannot, of course, be extended to purposes other than those for which contributions have been invited.

Mr. PRESTON

asked the President of the Board of Education whether moneys sent to the Mansion House Fund can be earmarked for a special town or district; and whether, in that case, such sums will receive the added value from the State?

Lord E. PERCY

I should be glad if my hon. Friend will await to-day's Debate, when I hope to be able to deal with this point more satisfactorily than is possible in an answer to a question.

Mr. DUCKWORTH

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the depressed textile districts of Lancashire will benefit by the State assistance given to the Mansion House Fund?

Lord E. PERCY

I dealt with the general question of the scope of the Fund in the answer which I gave yesterday to questions by the hon. Members for King's Norton (Mr. Dennison) and Cleveland (Sir P. Goff), of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. I hope to be able to deal with the point more fully during the Debate.

Mr. MARDY JONES

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Government have considered the financial plight in which the local private traders and co-operative societies in the distressed areas are placed; and whether the Government will take this into account when the Government grants are being disbursed for the purchase of food and other necessaries in connection with the co-ordinated schemes of national relief?

Lord E. PERCY

I will certainly bear this point in mind.