Lord HENRY CAVENDISHBENTINCK:

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Corporation of Nottingham has incurred expenditure in setting up relief works for the unemployed to the amount of £1,250,000 and that towards this sum they have received 23 per cent. in grant only; and whether he will consider the advisability of contributing more generously to local authorities towards their relief works for the unemployed?

The Government have not seen their way to increase the present rates of grant. I may acid that in the case of substantial works, when the loan is for 30 years, the present grants, amount to 44 per cent. of the cost for non-revenue-producing, and nearly 26 per cent. for revenue-producing schemes.

Does the right hon. Gentleman deny that of the £1,250,000 expended by the City of Nottingham, the Government have only contributed 23 per cent., and is that the measure of their sympathy with the unemployed?

I have no reason to deny the accuracy of the figures.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman admit that the contribution of the Government is an extremely mean one?