§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Minister of Labour whether, during title recess, she will investigate the dissatisfaction of many local authorities with their treatment by the Unemployment Grants Committee?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI am unaware that local authorities generally are dissatisfied with their treatment by the Unemployment Grants Committee, but I will certainly undertake to investigate any particular cases within the knowledge of the hon. and gallant Member which he cares to bring to my notice.
§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Minister of Labour how often the Unemployment Grants Committee meets; and how many attendances out of those possible have been recorded in the case of each member during the last six months?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe Unemployment Grants Committee meets as often as its work requires. At the moment, it is meeting once a week. During the six months ended 31st July, 1930, it has met on 18 occasions, the attendance of the members being as follows:
The Right Hon. Viscount St. Davids, G. B. E., Chairman 18 The Hon. Member for Twickenham (Sir John Ferguson, K. B. E.) 11 Sir Reginald MacLeod, K. C. B. 10 Sir William Plender, Bart., G. B. E. Nil. The Hon. Member for Harwich (P. J. Pybus, Esq., C. B. E.) 10 Miss K. T. Wallas, L. C. C. 17
§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Minister of Labour whether the decisions of the Un- 918W employment Grants Committee are reached by its members independently or with the aid of permanent officials; and, if the latter is the case, how many permanent officials give such assistance, and who they are?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe membership of the Committee does not include any permanent officials; it reaches its own conclusions on the facts of each application. It has a staff consisting of a secretary, assistant secretary, and other officials.