§ Mr. G. MACDONALDasked the Home Secretary the number of prosecutions of political propagandists during 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, and for 1932 up to the latest date for which figures are available, and the number sentenced to imprisonment?
§ Sir J. GILMOURPolitical propaganda is not in itself an offence, and, in the absence of particulars as to the precise offences which the hon. Member has in mind, I cannot say what figures are available.
The following TABLE shows the number and estimated value of schemes under the main classes of relief works which have been approved for grant of State financial assistance since 1st September, 1931, together with the number of persons directly employed on these schemes at 28th October, 1932:— Type of Scheme. Number of Schemes. Estimated Value. Numbers directly employed on 28th October, 1932. £ Schemes assisted under Part I of the Development Act (Lewis Committee). 6 495,983 134 (a) Schemes assisted under Part II of the Development Act (Unemployment Grants Committee). 254 (c) 4,324,000 (c) 4,551 (b) Ministry of Transport Road Schemes 326 3,314,874 1,912 (a) Two of these schemes were still in operation at the date referred to, the remaining four having been completed. (b) 82 of these schemes were still in operation at the date referred to, the remaining 172 having been completed. (c) Excluding 21 other schemes of an estimated value of £495,000, which were approved, but subsequently withdrawn. The schemes assisted under Part I of the Development Act comprised gas and water schemes and the provision of rail facilities at collieries. The schemes assisted by the Unemployment Grants Committee included sewerage schemes; gas, water and electricity supply schemes; dock and harbour improvements; land reclamation and drainage; parks and recreation grounds and sea defence works. The figures given include all schemes approved for grant since 1st September, 1931, whether the application for grant was made before or after this date.