Oral Answers to Questions — Ex-Service Men. – in the House of Commons am ar 9 Hydref 1924.
Mr Thomas Inskip
, Bristol Central
asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the steady rise in the number of unemployed persons and of the approach of winter, His Majesty's Government have any new proposals to lay before Parliament for increasing employment during the winter months?
Mr Thomas Shaw
, Preston
The proposals of the Govern-merit for providing employment, in view of the probable increase in unemployment with the approach of winter, were outlined in debate on the 30th July. Progress has since been made with the development of the measures then referred to. Many schemes of work approved for Government grant are in operation, and others will shortly be commenced. The Government would not hesitate to come to the House for authority to adopt new proposals should this be required. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a brief summary of the proposals now in hand or in active preparation.
Mr Thomas Inskip
, Bristol Central
Are we to assume that the Government have no new proposals other than the ideas that have already been outlined?
Mr Thomas Shaw
, Preston
The right hon. and learned Gentleman may assume that if he likes. It was not in the answer.
Sir Harry Brittain
, Acton
Will the number of the unemployed be largely added to after to-day?
Lieut-Colonel Charles Howard-Bury
, Wolverhampton Bilston
How many are now employed on these works?
Mr Thomas Shaw
, Preston
I must have notice of that question.
Mr Neil Maclean
, Glasgow Govan
Arising out of the supplementary question, may I ask the Minister of Labour if he is making any arrangements for dealing with the large amount of unemployment there will be in Members on the opposite side after the Election?
Mr. Speaker:
That is a purely hypothetical question.
Mr John Jones
, West Ham Silvertown
Will the Minister please inform us to what. unemployment exchange we shall have to approach to get our money?
Mr Thomas Shaw
, Preston
So far as the first supplementary question is concerned, I am not aware that either on this side or the other side hon. Members are insured!
The proposals of the Government for the coming winter include:—
Lieut-Colonel Hon. Cuthbert James
, Bromley
asked the Minister of Labour how many extra men are being employed as a result of the new schemes of work started by the Government since they have been in office?
Mr Thomas Shaw
, Preston
I have looked into the existing returns, and find they do not enable a reliable figure to be given for the total number of men employed on relief work schemes. It is not practicable, without quite disproportionate expense, to obtain figures separately for old and new schemes, but I am considering whether it will be possible to obtain and issue periodically figures for men directly employed on Government assisted schemes.
Lieut-Colonel Charles Howard-Bury
, Wolverhampton Bilston
Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many have been employed on any new schemes in connection with the Wash?
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