§ Sir K. WOODasked the Minister of Labour particulars of the different categories of the 86,000 persons at present directly engaged on work on schemes approved on or after 1st June, 1929, and how such particulars have been compiled; and the average duration of such schemes, including separately the road schemes made in accordance with five-year plans?
§ Mr. LAWSONReturns received by my Department showed the following numbers of men directly engaged on 19th December on the schemes indicated:
Nature of scheme and number of men directly employed on 19th December, 1930. Work of improvement and new construction on classified roads and bridges assisted by Ministry of Transport 24,693 Schemes assisted by the Unemployment Grants Committee 42,629 Works on unclassified roads 747 Drainage schemes assisted by the Ministry of Agriculture 779 Schemes assisted by the Ministry of Health 2,823 Schemes assisted under Part I of the Development Act 7,102 The balance of the total figure of 86,000 represents miscellaneous schemes in respect of which figures were supplied by the Departments concerned. To analyse the figures in such a way as to show the average duration of schemes would involve a very considerable expenditure of time and labour which would retard the progress of more urgent work, and I hope the right hon. Member will not press for this.