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IS
HIS DOCUMMT
THE P R O P E R T Y
I S C R .3 T
p
"
P. 391 ( 3 0 )
'—"
"
H i d BRITAEIilC
OP
FlA-JBSTY
1
S GOVER1IME1JT)
COPY I i \ /
o a * * f* *
o
i
C A B I N S T.
STATEHE1IT 0 1 ^ THE P R I N C I P A L MEASURES TAEEIT BY
H I S l l k J E S T Y ' S ' " g 6 Y ^ : ? i ; M F l f T IN COIIKEOTIOl! WITH
mMLiPIOYxIHiriTo
LCBIvlORAEPTJM BY T H E P R I M E
A s my c o l l e a g u e s
practice
roughly
made
for
since
6 months
intervals,
financial
assistance.
of a
have
on t h i s
and t h e time
issued
the feeling
some
in furthering
but
there
is,
focussed
exclusion
among
that
of the
well
branch
for the
that
of p u b l i c
instructed
- Hansard
cux^e b y a t t a c k i n g ,
Palrit-mentary
troubles.
to
both
unemployed
of t h e
country;
to the
may
we, a s a Government,
and a r e t a k i n g
of our i n d u s t r i a l
activities
is after
palliatives
causes
wish
the impression
and
by the existing
required
to our
works
on t h e p r o v i s i o n
any permanent
is
a t t e n t i o n may
our efforts
prescribed
statements
of our l a b o u r s ,
development
danger
and t h a t
few, that
confined
relief
a real
more
concentrating
effect
approved
for the p r e -
Kb o n e w o u l d
t h e economic
I feel,
comparatively
something
of t h i s
immediate
of a l l e l s e
temporary
at
progress
Two s u c h
h a s now come
works.
on t h e p r o m o t i o n
the less
to Parliament
of development
a statement
the importance
and
by
than
t h e fj e l d of p u b l i c
affording
the
third.
occasion
minimise
has been
b statement
Government
been
it
to present
v/orks
I
be
office,
to public
Sentation
in
we t o o k
be aware,
in regard
have
in
will
LHKISTER.
of
obtain
a l l ,
are
immediate
no s t e p s
within
read
the
situation,
to
limits
the
root
I
accordingly
on p u b l i c
of
the
other
works
statement
should
a paper
and
to
on i t s
should
principal
fields
in
has
to
at
this
be
instructions
be
taken
connection
and
by
the
statement
a brief
policy
with unemployment.
Such
a proof
is
know w h e t h e r
the
idea
publishing
juncture
of
any
commends
itself
comments
they
(Itld.)
J . *v. 1 . ,
1930.
o
of
J.R.1,1.
wish
in
a
attached,
t o my
nay
review
pursued
and
form.
5
the
prepared
advised
[0 D o w n i n g o t r e e t ,
Kovenber 2 4 t h
that
supplemented
measures
been
like
gave
I
such
colleagues
to
make
STATEMENT
of the principal measures taken by
H.M. Government in connection with
UNEMPLOYMENT.
Presented
to Parliament
by the
by Command of
His Majesty, November,
1930.
LONDON:
PRINTED A N D P U B L I S H E D B Y H I S H A J E S T Y ' S S T A T I O N E E Y OFFICE.
To be p u r c h a s e d d i r e c t l y f r o m H . M . S T A T I O N E R Y O F F I C E a t t h e f o l l o w i n g a d d r e s s e s t
Adastral H o u s e . K i n g s - w a y , L o n d o n . W . C . 2 ; 120, G e o r g e S t r e e t , E d i n b u r g h ;
Y o r k S t r e e t , M a n c h e s t e r ; 1, S t . A n d r e W s C r e s c e n t , C a r d i f l ;
15, D o n e g a l l S q u a r e W e s t , B e l f a s t ;
or t h r o u g h a n y Bookseller.
1930. N e t .
Price
Cmd.
INTRODUCTION.
Iv. ( P a r t T 6f t h i s s t a t e m e n t i s i n c o n t i n u a t i o n of p r e v i o u s statement­
- p r e s e n t e d t o P a r l i a m e n t i n D e c e m b e r , 1 9 2 9 ( C r n d . 3449) a n d March.'
1 9 3 0 - ( C m d . ' 3 5 1 9 ) / a n d b r i n g s u p t o d a t e figures, g i v e n in those
s t a t e m e n t s , ' ! o f - a p p r o v a l s for G o v e r n m e n t a s s i s t a n c e u n d e r the
Development
( L o a n G u a r a n t e e s a n d G i - a n t s ) A c t , 1929, the
C o l o n i a l D e v e l o p m e n t A c t , 1 9 2 9 , f r o m t h e E o a d F u n d , a n d under
o t h e r a r r a n g e m e n t s , for, w o r k s of i m p o r t a n t e m p l o y m e n t v a l u e .
I t m u s t b e h o m e i n m i n d t h a t t h e p r o m o t i o n of e m e r g e n c y work;
of d e v e l o p m e n t is o n l y o n e p a r t of t h e G o v e r n m e n t s programme^
for d e a l i n g w i t h u n e m p l o y m e n t a n d , i n o r d e r t h a t t h i s p a r t may be
v i e w e d , i n p r o p e r p e r s p e c t i v e , o p p o r t u n i t y h a s b e e n t a k e n t o survey
b r i e f l y ( P a r t I I ) o t h e r b r a n c h e s of a c t i v i t y t o w h i c h t h e Govern­
m e n t attach importance in this connection.
1
1
P A R T I.
Emergency Works approved for Government Financial Assistance,
I n J u n e a n d J u l y l a s t t h e G o v e r n m e n t h e l d a s e r i e s of con-!
f e r e n c e s w i t h r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of l o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s w i t h t h e object of
s e c u r i n g a c o n s i d e r a b l e e x t e n s i o n of t h e p r o g r a m m e of u s e f u l public
w o r k s . w h i c h c o u l d b e p u t . i n h a n d i n o r d e r t o m i t i g a t e t h e effects oi
t h e p r o l o n g e d u n e m p l o y m e n t f r o m w h i c h t h e c o u n t r y i s suffering.
A s a r e s u l t of t h e s e c o n f e r e n c e s , a t w h i c h s p e c i a l s t r e s s w a s laid
o n p r o v i d i n g a s m u c h w o r k a s p o s s i b l e f o r t h e c o m i n g winter,
s u b s t a n t i a l c o n c e s s i o n s w e r e m a d e t o l o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s i n regard to
t h e c o n d i t i o n s u n d e r w h i c h G o v e r n m e n t a s s i s t a n c e w o u l d be made
available for local s c h e m e s .
A r r a n g e m e n t s f o r e x p e d i t i n g the
p r e p a r a t i o n , a p p r o v a l a n d e x e c u t i o n of s c h e m e s w e r e discussed
and agreed.
T h e G o v e r n m e n t d e c i d e d a l s o t o i n c r e a s e v e r y l a r g e l y the
T r u n k E o a d p r o g r a m m e a n d t o f a c i l i t a t e t h e e x e c u t i o n of the
F i v e - Y e a r p r o g r a m m e for t h e i m p r o v e m e n t of classified r o a d s and
b r i d g e s ( a n d t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of n e w r o a d s a n d b r i d g e s likely to
b e classified).
I n a d d i t i o n a V o t e of ^ 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 w a s t a k e n t o p r o v i d e for grants
t o m e e t t h e c o s t of w o r k s i n n e c e s s i t o u s a r e a s . T h e s e g r a n t s are
i n t e n d e d f o r a r e a s w h i c h a r e l e a s t a b l e t o i n c u r c a p i t a l expenditure
c h a r g e a b l e , o n t h e i r o w n r e s o u r c e s a n d a r e i n c o n s e q u e n c e pre­
v e n t e d f r o m a v a i l i n g t h e m s e l v e s of t h e o r d i n a r y m e a s u r e s of
a s s i s t a n c e f r o m t h e U n e m p l o y m e n t G r a n t s C o m m i t t e e , a r e a s where
t h e r a t e s h a v e b e e n h e a v y for s o m e y e a r s , w h e r e severe and
p r o l o n g e d u n e m p l o y m e n t h a s p r e v a i l e d a n d w h e r e t h e local authori­
t i e s h a v e "Been u n a b l e t o provide n e c e s s a r y w o r k s .
- A t t h e c l o s e ' o f l a s t S e s s i o n t h e p r i n c i p l e of e x p e d i t i n g t h e grant
of p o w e r s ' n e e d e d ' i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h w o r k s d e s i g n e d t o relieve
u n e m p l o y m e n t ' w a s g r e a t l y e x t e n d e d b y t h e p a s s i n g of t h e Public
W o r k s "Facilities ' Act.
T h a t A c t p r o v i d e s a n a l t e r n a t i v e to
:
!
1
1
1
ordinary P r i v a t e B i l l l e g i s l a t i o n w h i c h w i l l v e r y , m a t e r i a l l y s h o r t e n
the process of o b t a i n i n g s t a t u t o r y p o w e r s i n s u c h c a s e s b y l o c a l
authorities a n d p u b l i c u t i l i t y u n d e r t a k i n g s . T h e A c t a l s o m a k e s
available a g r e a t l y s i m p l i f i e d a n d m o r e e x p e d i t i o u s p r o c e d u r e f o r
the c o m p u l s o r y a c q u i s i t i o n of l a n d . a n d e a s e m e n t s .
. Development
(Loan"Guarantees
arid Grants)
Act, 1 9 2 9 .
The following T a b l e s h o w s t h e s c h e m e s a p p r o v e d for g r a n t o n
the
recommendation
of t h e A d v i s o r y . C o m m i t t e e a p p o i n t e d u n d e r
Pan I of t h e A c t u p t o 3 0 t h S e p t e m b e r , 1 9 3 0 ( i n c l u d i n g t h o s e
contained i n C m d . 3 4 4 9 a n d C m d . 3 5 1 9 ) : —
' TABLE
I.
P r e s e n t Value of G r a n t s .
Nature
Natur e of Undor
Undor-­
taking
takingss receivin
receivingg
Assistance.
Assistance .
Tota
Totall
Estimated
Costt of
Cos
Scliomes
Scliomes..
Tota
Totall
Estimated
Excheque
Exchequerr
Grants.
Amount.
Percentage
of Total
Estimated
Cost:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Railways
Railways (excludin
(excludingg
docks)
docks)..
Dock
Dockss (includin
(includingg rail
rail-­
way-owne
way-ownedd docks)
docks)..
Water
Wate r
Gas
Gas
Electricity
Electricit y ..
....
22,181,663
7,316,188
5,184,201
£
P e r cent.
23
*3,681,482
1,638,146
1,079,191
29
838,739
1,425,624
83,722
304,658
281,036
10,175
245,435
247,085
8,816
28,211,230
9,550,203
6,764,728
Tota
Totall
£
£
29
17
11 .
-
'
2
4
* This figure includes a sum of £1,350,000 for certain dock schemes which:
'are now understood t o be subject to reconsideration. '
:
I n a d d i t i o n to t h e g r a n t s c h e m e s s e t o u t a b o v e i t h a s b e e n
agreed t o g u a r a n t e e u n d e r P a r t I of t h e A c t a loan of £ 2 0 6 , 0 0 0 f o r
expenditure on a n "electricity supply s c h e m e ' ' e s t i m a t e d ' t o c o s t
£236,000: T h e t o t a l , e s t i m a t e d c o s t of t h e e l e c t r i c i t y s c h e m e s
approved under P a r t I of t h e A c t i s t h e r e f o r e £ 3 1 9 , 7 2 2 , a n d t h e
total for schemes of all classes £ 2 8 , 4 4 7 ; 2 3 0 . m o
.. ijemsi
The following T a b l e s h o w s , t h e s c h e m e s . a p p r o v e d for g r a n t o h
the recommendation of,, t h e - C o m m i t t e e . a p p o i n t e d , u n d e r P a r t i l
of the A c t ( t h e . U n e m p l o y m e n t , G r a n t s C o m m i t t e e ) , f r o m . 1 s t J u n e ,
1029, t o 3 0 t h S e p t e m b e r , 1 9 3 0 ( i n c l u d i n g t h o s e . . c o n t a i n e d i n
Cmd. 3449 and. Cnid. 3519).. f T ^ e ^ S g u r i e ' s i n - t h i s T a b l e ^ r ^ j e ^ M
2,397 schemes s u b m i t t e d b y -865 l o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s , a n d o t h e r
statutory b o d i e s :-—
8488A g­
6
TABLE I I .
Present Value of Grants.
Naturee of Scheme
Natur
Scheme..
Total
Tota l
Estimated
Estimate d
Costt of
Cos
Works
Works..
Total
Tota l '
Estimated
Estimate d
Exchequer
Excheque r
Grants
Grants..
2.
3.
£
£
Amount,
... .,
r
!
"' 4. "
1
r
1.
1 . Loa
Loan
n schemes—Re
schemes—Re-­
venuo
venu
o - producing
producin g
2. L o a n
schemesNon-revenuee pro
Non-revenu
pro-­
ducing
ducing..
3 . Scheme
Schemess
financed
otherwis
otherwisee
tha
than
n
b y loan
loan..
Tota
Totall
..
....
£
24,608,187
9,619,000
7,103,000
21,000,490
17,941,000
11,677,000
1,158,018
587,000
587,000
46,766,695
28,147,000
19,367,000
Percentage
i ,y
l
j . Lstimated
. Cost.
i
5.
Per cent.
29
T o t a
56
51
41
Sumrnary
of
Schemes.
T h e f o l l o w i n g T a b l e c o n t a i n s a s u m m a r y of t h e various types
of s c h e m e a p p r o v e d u n d e r t h e A c t , t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e e s t i m a t e d cost
of e a c h t y p e of s c h e m e : —
TABLE I I I .
Total Estimated Cost of Approved Schemes.
Naturee of Schemes
Natur
Schemes..
Under Part I. Under Part II.
Railways (excluding docks) ...
Docks and harbours (including
railway-owned docks and
harbours).
Water supply ...
...
Electricity
Gas
Sewage...
...
Land reclamation and drainage
Sea defence works . . . . .
Unclassified roads
Parks, recreation grounds, etc.
Civic B u i l d i n g s and Public
Institutions.
- ;.
River-improvement ...
B a t h s and washhouses
Sanitation
Cemeteries . ...
Miscellaneous ...
£
22,181,663
3,681,482
838,739
319,722
1,425,624
, —
'-
—
'
.. A- '
;
Total
-.
..*--
—
'
-
28,447,230
,VCi.
Total.
4,949,707
£
22,181,663
8,631,189
5,610,690
12,526,303
901,872
8,779,357
1,695,242
1,288,472
5,973,667
1,904,886
1,563,218
6,449,429
12,846,025
2,327,496
8,7 79,357
1,695,242
1,288,472
5,973,667
1,904,886
1,563,218
. , 654,629
479,812.
316,491
55,237
67,112
654,629
479.S12
316,491
55,237
67,112
46,766,695
75,213,925
Colonial
Development
Act,
1929.
Section I I of C m d . 3 5 1 9 o u t l i n e d p r o g r e s s u n d e r t h e C o l o n i a l
Development Act u n t i l 28th F e b r u a r y , . 1 9 3 0 , by w h i c h d a t e
schemes i n v o l v i n g a t o t a l e s t i m a t e d e x p e n d i t u r e of £ 5 , 6 5 0 , 0 0 0 f r o m
Home and Colonial funds-had b e e n a p p r o v e d u n d e r t h e A c t . .
U p to 3 0 t h S e p t e m b e r , 1 9 3 0 , f u r t h e r a s s i s t a n c e h a d b e e n r e c o m ­
mended by t h e C o l o n i a l D e v e l o p m e n t A d v i s o r y C o m m i t t e e i n
respect of d e v e l o p m e n t w o r k s i n K e n y a , T a n g a n y i k a T e r r i t o r y ,
Northern R h o d e s i a , N y a s a l a n d , S o m a l i l a n d , Gold Coast, N i g e r i a ,
the W e s t I n d i e s , C y p r u s , M a u r i t i u s , S e y c h e l l e s , N o r t h B o r n e o ,
British H o n d u r a s , W e s t e r n Pacific, Palestine a n d T r a n s Jorclania, F a l k l a n d I s l a n d s , S t . H e l e n a , B e c h u a n a l a n d a n d S w a z i ­
land. T h e t o t a l e s t i m a t e d c o s t of t h e s c h e m e s r e c o m m e n d e d for
assistance b y t h e C o m m i t t e e f r o m i t s i n c e p t i o n u n t i l 3 0 t h S e p ­
tetuber, 1 9 3 0 , a n d a p p r o v e d b y t h e T r e a s u r y , w a s £ 8 , 3 7 4 , 6 9 7 . Of
(his total £ 4 , 1 2 2 , 4 4 0 r e p r e s e n t e d t h e c o s t of s c h e m e s i n E a s t
Africa, w h i c h w i l l b e m e t b y t h e G o v e r n m e n t s of t h e t e r r i t o r i e s
concerned f r o m l o a n s r a i s e d u n d e r t h e P a l e s t i n e a n d E a s t A f r i c a
Loans A c t , 1 9 2 6 , a s a m e n d e d b y t h e C o l o n i a l D e v e l o p m e n t
Act, 1 9 2 9 . Of t h e t o t a l of £ 8 , 3 7 5 , 0 0 0 i t i s e s t i m a t e d t h a t
some .-£3,300,000 w i l l b e s p e n t i n G r e a t B r i t a i n . , I n a d d i t i o n t o
the s c h e m e s c o v e r e d b y t h i s figure of £ 8 , 3 7 5 , 0 0 0 , f u r t h e r s c h e m e s
under t h e P a l e s t i n e a n d E a s t A f r i c a L o a n s A c t h a v e b e e n i n a u g u ­
rated, t h e e s t i m a t e d c o s t b e i n g s o m e £ 4 , 8 2 0 , 0 0 0 .
1
Road
Fund.
U n d e r t h e Trunk
Road
Programme
( t h e t o t a l of w h i c h w a s
raised in J u l y l a s t t o £ 2 1 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 ) t h e s c h e m e s a p p r o v e d a m o u n t e d
at 30th S e p t e m b e r , 1 9 3 0 , t o o v e r £ 1 5 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , " o f w h i c h s c h e m e s
r e p r e s e n t i n g e x p e n d i t u r e of o v e r £ 5 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 h a d b e e n d e f i n i t e l y
approved for g r a n t a n d t h e b a l a n c e a p p r o v e d i n p r i n c i p l e .
The
majority of t h e s c h e m e s a p p r o v e d w i l l c o s t i n d i v i d u a l l y o v e r
£100,000 e a c h , i n c l u d i n g 3 3 s c h e m e s of w i d e n i n g a n d r e c o n s t r u e ­
tion a n d 12 i m p o r t a n t b y - p a s s s c h e m e s .
Under t h e Five-Year
Programme
of £ 2 7 , 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 , t h e s c h e m e s
approved a m o u n t e d a t 3 0 t h S e p t e m b e r , 1 9 3 0 , t o n e a r l y £ 2 5 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 ,
of which s c h e m e s r e p r e s e n t i n g e x p e n d i t u r e of n e a r l y £ 9 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0
had b e e n d e f i n i t e l y a p p r o v e d for g r a n t a n d t h e , b a l a n c e a p p r o v e d
in p r i n c i p l e . N e a r l y h a l f t h e s c h e m e s a p p r o v e d ' w i l l c o s t i n d i v i d u ­
ally over £ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 e a c h , i n c l u d i n g 2 0 s c h e m e s of w i d e n i n g - . a n d
r e c o n s t r u c t i o n l a h d - 3 0 n e w s e c t i o n s ;of r o a d df' w h i c h ' 7 a r e
important b y - p a s s r o a d s .
^
"
',
I-.."
;
;
1
5
It is e s t i m a t e d t h a t t h e R o a d F u n d l i a b i l i t y i n r e s p e c t of t h e
whole of t h e . s c h e m e s - a l r e a d y . a p p r o v e d w i l l b e a p p r o x i m a t e l y
£30,000,000.
'
'
' - ' i
:--/?
I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e a b o v e , t h e Annual
Programme
deals with
s c h e m e s of i m p r o v e m e n t of c l a s s i f i e d r o a d s a n d b r i d g e s of lesser
magnitude.
T h e A n n u a l P r o g r a m m e s c h e m e s a p p r o v e d for grant
u n d e r t h e . p r e s e n t G o v e r n m e n t ( h e . , s i n c e 3 0 t h A u g u s t 1929)
a m o u n t e d at 30th S e p t e m b e r to £ 9 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 .
I t is e s t i m a t e d that
t h e E o a d F u n d l i a b i l i t y i n r e s p e c t of t h e s e s c h e m e s will L
approximately £5,000,000.
A s e x p l a i n e d i n P a r l i a m e n t a r y , P a p e r C m d . 3 4 4 9 , t h e Five-Year
a n d A n n u a l p r o g r a m m e s a b s o r b t h e p r e v i o u s p r o g r a m m e for
1929-30.
I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e a b o v e , g r a n t s h a v e b e e n m a d e by the Unem­
p l o y m e n t G r a n t s C o m m i t t e e ( a s s h o w n i n T a b l e l i t on pao-e 4)
i n r e s p e c t of e x p e n d i t u r e e s t i m a t e d a t a b o u t £ 6 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 in^con­
n e x i o n w i t h unclassified roads a n d bridges.
'.
Other
Programmes..
I n C m d . 3 5 1 9 p a r t i c u l a r s w e r e g i v e n of o t h e r a r r a n g e m e n t s
u n d e r w h i c h w o r k s w o u l d b e u n d e r t a k e n b y o r w i t h t h e assistance
of d e p a r t m e n t s w h o s e f u n c t i o n s a r e s u c h a s t o " e n a b l e t h e m to
m a k e s o m e c o n t r i b u t i o n t o w a r d s t h e a l l e v i a t i o n of u n e m p l o y m e n t .
T h e M i n i s t r y of A g r i c u l t u r e a n d F i s h e r i e s h a d u p t o t h e 30th Sep­
t e m b e r a g r e e d t o a s s i s t 1 7 5 l a n d d r a i n a g e s c h e m e s , s u b m i t t e d by
l a n d d r a i n a g e a u t h o r i t i e s , w h i c h a r e e s t i m a t e d t o c o s t £2-36,000 in
a d d i t i o n t o t h e s c h e m e s r e f e r r e d t o i n T a b l e I I I a b o v e . * T h e same
d e p a r t m e n t h a d a g r e e d t o a s s i s t 4 5 9 s c h e m e s of field drainage
e s t i m a t e d t o c o s t £ 4 8 , 0 0 0 , a n d 1 3 3 s c h e m e s for t h e s u p p l y of water
t o a g r i c u l t u r a l h o l d i n g s a t a n e s t i m a t e d c o s t of £ 9 3 , 0 0 0 .
T h e D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m i s s i o n h a v e p o w e r t o a s s i s t agriculture
a n d r u r a l i n d u s t r i e s , t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d i m p r o v e m e n t of fishery
h a r b o u r s , a n d l a n d d r a i n a g e a n d r e c l a m a t i o n , a n d b e t w e e n the
d a t e w h e n t h e p r e s e n t G o v e r n m e n t a s s u m e d office a n d the 30th
S e p t e m b e r , 1 9 3 0 , t h e t o t a l e s t i m a t e d c o s t of t h e schemes in
r e s p e c t of w h i c h t h e D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m i s s i o n h a d agreed to
r e n d e r financial a s s i s t a n c e w a s £ 8 0 7 , 0 0 0 . T h e s e s c h e m e s are quite
s e p a r a t e f r o m t h o s e d e a l t w i t h , b y o t h e r G o v e r n m e n t a l authorities.
R e f e r e n c e w a s m a d e i n C m d . 3 5 1 9 t o t h e p r o g r a m m e of work
a t a c o s t of s o m e £ 6 0 , 0 0 0 , b e i n g c a r r i e d o u t o v e r t h e w i n t e r 1929-30
b y t h e Office of W o r k s .
T h i s p r o g r a m m e h a s n o w b e e n completed,
b u t d u r i n g t h e p r e s e n t w i n t e r w o r k s s u i t a b l e for t h e e m p l o y m e n t
of u n s k i l l e d l a b o u r o n A n c i e n t M o n u m e n t s a n d H i s t o r i c Buildings
a n d i n t h e E o y a l P a r k s w i l l b e c a r r i e d o u t b y t h e s a m e depart­
m e n t a t a c o s t of £ 1 2 9 , 0 0 0 .
T h e a c c e l e r a t e d p r o g r a m m e of t r u n k t e l e p h o n e c o n s t r u c t i o n by
t h e G e n e r a l P o s t Office, a t a n e s t i m a t e d c o s t of £ 1 , 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 , to
* The land drainage schemes where the work is to be financed by the local
authority out of a loan are dealt with by the Unemployment Grants
Committee.
/hioli r e f e r e n c e w a s m a d e i n C m d . 3 5 1 9 , . is b e i n g , a c t i v e l y c a r r i e d
ut in a d d i t i o n t o t h e m a i n c o n s t r u c t i o n p r o g r a m m e of a c a p i t a l
of £ 1 0 , 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 .
o s t
As is e x p l a i n e d i n t h e p r e f a t o r y n o t e , a s p e c i a k s u m
has been m a d e a v a i l a b l e for t h e p r o m o t i o n of' w o r k s
necessitous a r e a s , .-£440,000 b e i n g a l l o c a t e d t o w o r k s
and W a l e s a n d £ 6 0 , 0 0 0 t o w o r k s i n ' S c o t l a n d .
England a n d W a l e s t o a t o t a l v a l u e of £ 4 1 0 , 0 0 0 h a v e
approved b y t h e M i n i s t r y of H e a l t h .
;
of £500,000
I n - specially
i n -England
Schemes^ a n
already been
For t h e p u r p o s e s of l a n d s e t t l e m e n t i n S c o t l a n d t h e g r a n t i n
i,l to t h e A g r i c u l t u r e ( S c o t l a n d ) F u n d w a s i n c r e a s e d i n t h e V o t e
for the financial y e a r 1 9 3 0 - 3 1 f r o m £ 1 1 5 , 0 0 0 ( t h e a m o u n t v o t e d
in 19-29-30) t o £ 1 7 5 , 0 0 0 . F a r m a n d field d r a i n a g e s c h e m e s c o s t i n g
some £ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 a n d i n v o l v i n g a s s i s t a n c e f r o m t h e E x c h e q u e r t o t h e
extent of ct'30,000 h a v e b e e n a p p r o v e d b y t h e D e p a r t m e n t of A g r i ­
culture for S c o t l a n d , a n d t h e L a n d D r a i n a g e ( S c o t l a n d ) A c t , 1 9 3 0 ,
under w h i c h m a i n d r a i n a g e w o r k s c o s t i n g s o m e £ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 w i l l b e
proceeded w i t h o v e r a p e r i o d of 5 y e a r s , i s n o w i n o p e r a t i o n . - , . I m ­
provement s c h e m e s t o S c o t t i s h fishery h a r b o u r s a t a c o s t of a b o u t
£1.0,000, h a v e b e e n a p p r o v e d for a s s i s t a n c e f r o m t h e f u n d s of t h e
Fishery B o a r d f o r S c o t l a n d .
a
;
T h e e x p a n s i o n of t h e p r o g r a m m e of t h e F o r e s t r y
has a l r e a d y b e e n d e s c r i b e d i n C m d . 3 5 1 9 .
Commission
Summary.
The v a l u e of s c h e m e s u n d e r v a r i o u s p r o g r a m m e s w h i c h : h a v e
been a p p r o v e d u p t o S e p t e m b e r 3 0 t h , m a y - b e s u m m a r i s e d . : . a s
follows : —
:
Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act,
1929, P a r t I
, .... .
28,447;230
Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act,
1 9 2 9 , P a r t II
'46,766^695
Colonial D e v e l o p m e n t A c t , 1 9 2 9
....
8,375;000
Eoad F u n d
. ..." 49,000,000
Miscellaneous
:
.A
Total
1
3'840,323
...I£135;928;248
On t h e b a s i s c o m m o n l y a c c e p t e d t h a t £ 1 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 p r o v i d e s w o r k
for one y e a r f o r 4 , 0 0 0 m e n , t h e s e s c h e m e s w i l l p r o v i d e w b r k ' ; t o t h e
extent of m o r e t h a n 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 m a n y e a r s . "
PART II.
Industrial Reorganisation, etc.
A l t h o u g h a s w i l l b e s e e n f r o m t h e f o r e g o i n g t a b l e s , t h e p o l i c y of
p r o m o t i n g p u b l i c w o r k s i n r e l i e f of u n e m p l o y m e n t h a s b e e n v k o r ­
p u s l y ' p u r s u e d , i t m u s t ' b e r e c o g n i s e d t h a t ' s u c h a policy i s subject
T h e a c c e l e r a t i o n of p r o g r a m m e s of
to certain general limitations.
work by local a u t h o r i t i e s a n d m a n y p u b l i c utility u n d e r t a k i n g
l i a s b e e n i n p r o g r e s s f o r t h e l a s t t e n y e a r s , a n d d u r i n g that
p e r i o d t h e e c o n o m i c e q u i p m e n t of t h e c o u n t r y — i t s r o a d s , bridges,
d o c k s , r a i l w a y s a n d t h e l i k e — h a s b e e n g r e a t l y i m p r o v e d . B u t in
a c o u n t r y a l r e a d y v e r y h i g h l y d e v e l o p e d , t h e p r o c e s s of a n t i c i p a t i u "
f u t u r e n e e d s c a n n o t i n t h e n a t u r e of t h i n g s c o n t i n u e indefinitely.
T h e a r r e a r s of w o r k w h i c h h a d a c c u m u l a t e d d u r i n g t h e w a r years
h a v e b e e n o v e r t a k e n , a n d t h e r e a r e s i g n s t h a t t h e visible pro­
g r a m m e s of p u b l i c w o r k s w h i c h c a n c o n f o r m t o a n y reasonable
t e s t o f e c o n o m i c j u s t i f i c a t i o n , n o w e m b r a c e , t o a l a r g e e x t e n t what
c a n usefully be d o n e i n t h e n e a r future.
T h e p r o m o t i o n of p u b l i c w o r k s is a v o w e d l y o n l y a temporary
emergency measure.
S i d e b y s i d e w i t h t h i s , t h e G o v e r n m e n t are
p u r s u i n g a l o n g r a n g e p o l i c y of d e v e l o p m e n t .
Industrial
Reorganisation.
. A s w a s s t a t e d i n C m d . 3 5 1 9 , r e f e r r e d t o a b o v e , i t is t o t h e iu­
c r e a s e d p r o v i s i o n of o r d i n a r y i n d u s t r i a l e m p l o y m e n t t h r o u g h the
r e v i v a l of o u r t r a d e a n d i n d u s t r y t h a t t h e G o v e r n m e n t attach
primary importance.
T h e i r w o r k i n t h e i n d u s t r i a l field m a y be
g r o u p e d u n d e r t w o h e a d s : t h e e n c o u r a g e m e n t of r e o r g a n i s a t i o n of
i n d u s t r y a t h o m e a n d of t r a d e a b r o a d .
L e g i s l a t i o n h a s b e e n p a s s e d p u t t i n g t h e c o a l i n d u s t r y of the
c o u n t r y f o r t h e first t i m e i n i t s h i s t o r y i n a p o s i t i o n t o p r o m o t e a
n a t i o n a l s a l e s p o l i c y a n d o r g a n i s a t i o n a n d t o d e a l w i t h international
p r o b l e m s o n a f o o t i n g m o r e n e a r l y e q u a l t o t h a t of i t s competitors
abroad.
I m m e d i a t e l y u p o n t a k i n g office t h e G o v e r n m e n t a p p o i n t e d Com­
m i t t e . e s t o c o n s i d e r a n d r e p o r t u p o n t h e c o n d i t i o n a n d p r o s p e c t s of
t h e C o t t o n a n d I r o n a n d S t e e l I n d u s t r i e s , a n d t o m a k e reconi­
m e n d a t i o n s a s t o a n y a c t i o n t h a t m i g h t b e t a k e n t o i m p r o v e their
position.
T h e R e p o r t s of t h e s e C o m m i t t e e s h a v e n o w been
r e c e i v e d . . '''",).\-]'k- -t .,[ .
\
..., T h e R e p o r t o n i t h e . C o t t o n I n d u s t r y ( C m d . 3 6 1 5 ) , r e c o m m e n d e d
t h a t t h e G o v e r n m e n t . s h o u l d f a k e e v e r y : s t e p i n t h e i r p o w e r to
u r g e u p o n , e m p l o y e r s a n d o p e r a t i v e s i n L a n c a s h i r e t h e importance
of c o n s i d e r i n g c e r t a i n m e a n s , of r e d u c i n g : t h e c o s t s of production
w i t h , a v i e w fo t h e , r e c o v e r y ;of. l o s t , t r a d e . T h i s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n is
b e i n g a c t e d u p o n , a n d t h e G o v e r n m e n t i s i n c l o s e a n d constant
;
1
fj tj
Consultation w i t h a l l t h e i n t e r e s t s c o n c e r n e d u p o n t h e b a s i s of t h e
Report. T h e R e p o r t o n t h e I r o n a n d S t e e l I n d u s t r y i s s i m i l a r l y
Ihc subject of d i s c u s s i o n w i t h r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s - of t h e i n d u s t r y a n d
of n u a n c e .
One of t h e m e a s u r e s r e c p m m e n d e d i n t h e R e p o r t o n t h e ; C o t t o n
industry i s t h e f o r m a t i o n of l a r g e u n i t s . . C a r e f u l . c o n s i d e r a t i o n i s
jbeing g i v e n t o t h e q u e s t i o n h o w f a r s i m i l a r , m e a s u r e s a r e r e q u i r e d
In other i n d u s t r i e s , a n d i n c e r t a i n c a s e s m e a s u r e s of r e o r g a n i s a t i o n
Ire u n d e r d i s c u s s i o n . T h e s e m a t t e r s a r e of c o u r s e h i g h l y c o n f i d e n ­
lial, affecting a s t h e y d o t h e p o s i t i o n of i n d i v i d u a l firms, a n d c a n n o t
be referred t o i n d e t a i l . F u r t h e r , t h e n e g o t i a t i o n s l e a d i n g u p t o
[reorganisation c o v e r a l a r g e n u m b e r of i n t e r e s t s a n d m u s t of t h e i r
nature be d e l i c a t e a n d p r o l o n g e d .
W i t h a v i e w t o e n s u r i n g t h a t finance w i l l b e a v a i l a b l e for s o u n d
Ischeines of r e o r g a n i s a t i o n d i s c u s s i o n s h a v e t a k e n p l a c e w i t h l e a d i n g
financial i n t e r e s t s a n d a n e w o r g a n i s a t i o n h a s c o m e i n t o b e i n g ,
[known a s t h e B a n k e r s ' I n d u s t r i a l D e v e l o p m e n t C o m p a n y , w i t h t h e
pupport of t h e l e a d i n g b a n k s a n d
financial
houses, to consider
Ischeines s u b m i t t e d b y t h e b a s i c i n d u s t r i e s of t h i s c o u n t r y for t h e
[purpose of t h e i r r a t i o n a l i s a t i o n , e i t h e r b y i n d u s t r i e s o r b y r e g i o n s .
Monetary
Conditions.
As a s t i m u l u s t o t r a d e r e c o v e r y a n d i n d u s t r i a l d e v e l o p m e n t l o w
rates for s h o r t t e r m b o r r o w i n g h a v e a n e s p e c i a l i m p o r t a n c e . C h e a p
money d e p e n d s o n a v a r i e t y of i n f l u e n c e s , m a n y of t h e m w o r l d
factors o u t s i d e t h e c o n t r o l or g u i d a n c e of a n y s i n g l e c o u n t r y ; a n d
many c a u s e s h a v e c o n t r i b u t e d t o t h e a t t a i n m e n t of t h e e a s y c r e d i t
conditions w h i c h n o w w i d e l y p r e v a i l . B u t t o w a r d s t h e i r a t t a i n m e n t
in this c o u n t r y t h e G o v e r n m e n t w e r e a b l e t o m a k e a m a t e r i a l c o n ­
tribution b y t h e i r h a n d l i n g of t h e floating d e b t . , I n . t h e a u t u m n of
1929, a n d t h e e a r l y m o n t h s of 1 9 3 0 , w h e n i t b e c a m e e v i d e n t t h a t
there w a s a s u r p l u s of l o n g t e r m m o n e y a v a i l a b l e for. i n v e s t m e n t
(he public w e r e i n v i t e d t o . s u b s c r i b e t o i s s u e s of 5 p e r c e n t , a n d
4i per c e n t . C o n v e r s i o n S t o c k .
T h e s e n e w issues provided, over
and above t h e a m o u n t s r e q u i r e d t o m e e t m a t u r i n g d e b t , a , f r e e s u m
of about £160,000,000.
T h i s n e w m o n e y , as it b e c a m e available i n
stages, w a s u s e d t o r e d u c e t h e n e e d for p u b l i c b o r r o w i n g s i n t h e
short t e r m m a r k e t o n T r e a s u r y B i l l s . T h e r e p a y m e n t of t h e s e B i l l s
had the effect of i n c r e a s i n g t h e m a r k e t r e s o u r c e s a v a i l a b l e for t r a d e
and c o m m e r c e , w h i l e d i m i n i s h i n g t h e d e m a n d h p 6 n t h e m for n o n ­
trade p u r p o s e s . T h e p r o c e s s w a s so d e v i s e d a n d t i m e d a s t o h a s t e n
the r a p i d t r a n s i t i o n frOm h i g h r a t e s t o e a s y c o n d i t i o n s ' / w h i c h w a s
the o u t s t a n d i n g m o n e t a r y ' f e a t u r e d u r i n g ^ t h e p a s t ' y e a r ; -arid t h e
G o v e r n m e n t t h u s c o n t r i b u t e d m a t e r i a l l y t o t h e fall i n " T r e a s u r y
Bill r a t e s f r o m 6 p e r c e n t , t o l i t t l e m d r e ' t h a n ' 2 p e r c e n t : ' a n d t h e
r e - e s t a b l i s h m e n t of t h e m o n e t a r y c o n d i t i o n s m o s t ' l i k e l y t o f a v o u r
a world r e c o v e r y o f t r a d e ,
'
'
I
--'0k)i: GAISO
:
1
j
;
J
F L T X
U
iv
Export
Trade.
A s r e g a r d s e x p o r t t r a d e , t h e G o v e r n m e n t i n A p r i l of t h i s year
b r o u g h t i n t o b e i n g t h e O v e r s e a s T r a d e D e v e l o p m e n t Council at
t h e i n s t a n c e of, a n d for t h e p u r p o s e of a s s i s t i n g , t h e D e p a r t m e n t
of O v e r s e a s T r a d e i n t h e i r s t u d y of p r e s e n t a n d p o t e n t i a l markets,
i n . t h e i r i n v e s t i g a t i o n of r e a s o n s for t h e d e c l i n e i n . E x p o r t s , and
i n t h e i r s e a r c h for fields of p r o f i t a b l e e x p a n s i o n of B r i t i s h Trade.
I n c o - o p e r a t i o n w i t h t h e i n d u s t r i e s c o n c e r n e d , s t e p s h a v e already
b e e n t a k e n w h i c h s h o u l d l e a d t o a n e x p a n s i o n of t r a d e overseas.
T h e m o r e i m p o r t a n t of t h e s e s t e p s i n c l u d e t h e d e s p a t c h abroad of
Trade Missions.
A M i s s i o n h a s j u s t r e t u r n e d f r o m S o u t h Africa,
a n d t h e O v e r s e a s T r a d e D e v e l o p m e n t C o u n c i l is d i s c u s s i n g with
t h e l e a d e r a n d m e m b e r s of t h e M i s s i o n t h e b e s t m e a n s of making
t h e w o r k of t h e M i s s i o n a s effective a s p o s s i b l e .
A n o t h e r very
i m p o r t a n t M i s s i o n — w h i c h i n c l u d e s a s p e c i a l l y c o n s t i t u t e d Cotton
Sub-Mission—is at present visiting J a p a n and China.
A f u r t h e r activity w h i c h is b e i n g developed by t h e Department
of O v e r s e a s T r a d e i s t h a t of a r r a n g i n g f o r t r a d e i n v e s t i g a t i o n s in
s e l e c t e d o v e r s e a s m a r k e t s o n b e h a l f of p a r t i c u l a r i n d u s t r i e s .
There
i s a t p r e s e n t i n S o u t h A m e r i c a a t r a d e d e l e g a t i o n f r o m Sheffield
u n d e r t h e l e a d e r s h i p of t h e M a s t e r C u t l e r , t h e r e p o r t s of whose
w o r k a r e d i s t i n c t l y e n c o u r a g i n g : a n i n v e s t i g a t i o n o n b e h a l f of the
B o o t a n d S h o e i n d u s t r y is p r o c e e d i n g i n N o r t h e r n E u r o p e .
T h e G o v e r n m e n t h a v e d e c i d e d t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h e British
E m p i r e T r a d e E x h i b i t i o n t o b e h e l d i n B u e n o s A i r e s i n 1931,
a n d t h e i r d e c i s i o n h a s l e d t o c o - o r d i n a t e d e f f o r t s b y t h e British
m o t o r , electrical a n d aircraft i n d u s t r i e s o n a v e r y l a r g e scale.
C o m p l e m e n t a r y t o t h e w o r k of t h e G o v e r n m e n t i n h e l p i n g in­
d u s t r y t o r e t a i n o l d a n d o p e n n e w f o r e i g n m a r k e t s , s t a n d s the
w o r k of t h e E x p o r t C r e d i t s G u a r a n t e e D e p a r t m e n t .
Provision
w a s m a d e i n t h e O v e r s e a s T r a d e A c t , 1 9 3 0 , for t h e continuance
of t h e s c h e m e t o M a r c h 3 1 s t , 1 9 3 5 , a n d t h e i n c r e a s i n g e x t e n t to
w h i c h r e c o u r s e . h a s b e e n h a d t o t h e f a c i l i t i e s a f f o r d e d s i n c e the
p r e s e n t s c h e m e b e g a n i n 1 9 2 6 m a y b e g a t h e r e d f r o m t h e following
figures
of e x p o r t s a s s i s t e d : —
9 m o n t h s to
12 m o n t h s
31.3.1927
365,000
to'31.3.1928
2,455,000
1 2 months to
. 12 m o n t h s
31.3.1929
to''31.3.1930..
6 m o n t h s to
30*9.1936
4,283,000
5,661,000
5,041,000
£17,805,000
u
Agriculture.
A s s i s t a n c e t o w a r d s t h e r e v i v a l of i n d u s t r y p r o p e r , m u s t , u n l e s s
the e x i s t i n g s o c i a l d i s e q u i l i b r i u m is t o b e c o m e e v e n m o r e p r o ­
nouuced, b e a c c o m p a n i e d b y m e a s u r e s t o r e s t o r e a g r i c u l t u r e i n
this c o u n t r y t o a m o r e p r o s p e r o u s c o n d i t i o n . T h e G o v e r n m e n f s
[proposals' i n r e s p e c t of a g r i c u l t u r e a r e d e s i g n e d t o i n c r e a s e
the
uuinber of p e r s o n s d e r i v i n g t h e i r l i v e l i h o o d f r o m ' t h e c u l t i v a t i o n
of t h e l a n d a n d a l s o t o i n c r e a s e t h e p r o v i s i o n of i n s t r u c t i o n a n d
d e m o n s t r a t i o n so a s t o g i v e a l l o c c u p i e r s of a g r i c u l t u r a l h o l d i n g s
improved f a c i l i t i e s for c a r r y i n g o n t h e i r b u s i n e s s w i t h t h e m a x i m u m
efficiency. T h e A g r i c u l t u r a l L a n d ( U t i l i s a t i o n ) B i l l n o w b e f o r e t h e
House of C o m m o n s m a k e s p r o v i s i o n for a n e x p e r i m e n t i n l a r g e ­
scale f a r m i n g a n d a l s o for t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of n e w d e m o n s t r a t i o n
centres w h e r e r e q u i r e d . I n a d d i t i o n , a r r a n g e m e n t s a r e t o b e m a d e
for r e c l a i m i n g a n d r e c o n d i t i o n i n g l a n d i n o r d e r t h a t a g r i c u l t u r a l
production a n d a g r i c u l t u r a l e m p l o y m e n t m a y b e e x t e n d e d .
These
measures w i l l , b o t h d i r e c t l y a n d i n d i r e c t l y , p r o v i d e o p e n i n g s for
additional e m p l o y m e n t .
I n the same w a y , t h e proposals in the
Bill for t h e p r o v i s i o n of s m a l l h o l d i n g s , b o t h for t h e u n e m p l o y e d
and for o t h e r p e r s o n s c a p a b l e of c u l t i v a t i n g s u c h h o l d i n g s efficiently,
will c r e a t e a d d i t i o n a l w o r k b y t h e e r e c t i o n of d w e l l i n g h o u s e s , f a r m
buildings, p r o v i s i o n of w a t e r s u p p l y a n d o t h e r e q u i p m e n t n e c e s s a r y
for t h e s u b - d i v i s i o n of e x i s t i n g f a r m s s e l e c t e d a s s u i t a b l e for c o n ­
version i n t o s m a l l h o l d i n g s . O v e r a n d a b o v e t h i s , t h e s m a l l h o l d i n g s
t h e m s e l v e s , i n a d d i t i o n t o p r o v i d i n g a f u l l e r o p p o r t u n i t y for e x i s t ­
ing f a r m w o r k e r s a n d o t h e r s , w i l l , i t i s e x p e c t e d , e n a b l e m e n n o w
unemployed in o t h e r i n d u s t r i e s t o b e c o m e p e r m a n e n t l y self-support­
ing. F o r p e r s o n s w h o a r e u n e m p l o y e d b u t , for o n e r e a s o n o r
another, a r e u n a b l e o r n o t s u i t e d t o b e c o m e s m a l l h o l d e r s , t h e B i l l
makes p r o v i s i o n for t h e e x t e n s i o n of a l l o t m e n t s . T h e G o v e r n m e n t s
proposal i s t o e x t e n d s u c h a l l o t m e n t c u l t i v a t i o n w h e r e s u i t a b l e
land c a n b e f o u n d i n r e a s o n a b l y c l o s e p r o x i m i t y t o t h e h o m e s of
persons w h o l l y o r p a r t l y u n e m p l o y e d .
1
I t is t h e i n t e n t i o n of t h e G o v e r n m e n t t o d e v e l o p o r g a n i s e d
m a r k e t i n g of h o m e a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o d u c e . F o r t h i s p u r p o s e l e g i s ­
lation w i l l b e i n t r o d u c e d t o f a c i l i t a t e t h e c o m p r e h e n s i v e o r g a n i s a ­
tion of p r o d u c e r s for t h e s y s t e m a t i c m a r k e t i n g of t h e i r p r o d u c t s .
Apart f r o m l e g i s l a t i o n , t h e G o v e r n m e n t , a s a n e w d e p a r t u r e i n
this field, h a s a l r e a d y p r o v i d e d f u n d s t o e n a b l e s t a n d a r d i s a t i o n
schemes u n d e r t h e N a t i o n a l M a r k t o b e g i v e n w i d e p u b l i c i t y .
Special p r o v i s i o n h a s a l s o b e e n m a d e t o e n a b l e t h e w h o l e s u b j e c t
of o r g a n i s e d m a r k e t i n g t o b e e x h a u s t i v e l y s t u d i e d a t h o m e a n d
abroad for t h e i n f o r m a t i o n a n d g u i d a n c e of t h e h o m e ' p r o d u c e r .
Closely a s s o c i a t e d w i t h a g r i c u l t u r e i s t h e w o r k of
T h e Act of t h i s y e a r p r o v i d e s f o r t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t
age A u t h o r i t i e s t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y a n d g i v e s
hensive p o w e r s , inter alia, t o e x e c u t e l a n d d r a i n a g e
land drainage.
of n e w D r a i n ­
them compre­
schemes, many
of w h i c h s h o u l d be of v e r y - s u b s t a n t i a l - p r o p o r t i o n s .
T h e effect of
t h i s m e a s u r e w i l l b e , i n c o u r s e of t i m e , t o c o n f e r a w i d e r benefit
o n a g r i c u l t u r e a n d afford a. g r e a t e r c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e p r o b l e m of
u n e m p l o y m e n t relief. t h a n . i s p o s s i b l e u n d e r t h e s m a l l e r schemes
w h i c h a r e a t p r e s e n t - practicable.
- Housing.
-V
S i n c e t h e W a r a - l i i r g e ' p r o g r a m m e - oi j h o u s e - bvUlding h a s been
u n d e r t a k e n t o w a r d s w h i c h s u b s t a n t i a l ' a i d . h a s b e e n afforded from
the Exchequer.
T h e H o u s i n g A c t w h i c h w a s p a s s e d last Session
p r o v i d e s n o t o n l y f o r t h e c o n t i n u a n c e of t h e a s s i s t a n c e available
t o l o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s u n d e r t h e H o u s i n g F i n a n c i a l P r o v i s i o n s Act,
1 9 2 4 , a n d t h e s t a b i l i s i n g of t h e p r e s e n t r a t e of a s s i s t a n c e until
1 9 3 3 , b u t a l s o p r o v i d e s s p e c i a l a s s i s t a n c e d e s i g n e d t o facilitate and
e x p e d i t e t h e c l e a r a n c e of s l u m s a n d t o p r e v e n t t h e c r e a t i o n of
n e w s l u m s . T h e A c t p r o v i d e s m a c h i n e r y for a s y s t e m a t i c attack
o n b a d h o u s i n g c o n d i t i o n s a n d for a l l n e c e s s a r y r e h o u s i n g . W i t h
a v i e w t o s e c u r i n g c o n t i n u i t y of a c t i o n a n d a n a d e q u a t e v o l u m e of
n e w C o n s t r u c t i o n , it. r e q u i r e s l o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s t o s u b m i t t o the
M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h d u r i n g t h e p r e s e n t y e a r a p r o g r a m m e of the
s t e p s t h e y p r o p o s e t o t a k e d u r i n g t h e e n s u i n g five y e a r s for deal­
i n g w i t h h o u s i n g c o n d i t i o n s i n t h e i r a r e a s a n d for p r o v i d i n g new
a c c o m m o d a t i o n ; a n d a s i r i u l a r p r o g r a m m e i s t o b e f u r n i s h e d each
fifth y e a r .
T h e A c t a l s o c o n t a i n s s p e c i a l p r o v i s i o n d e s i g n e d to
s e c u r e t h e e x e c u t i o n of c o m p r e h e n s i v e s c h e m e s for m e e t i n g the
h o u s i n g n e e d s of r u r a l a r e a s .
A c o r r e s p o n d i n g A c t w a s p a s s e d for S c o t l a n d w i t h t h e object of
e n c o u r a g i n g a s y s t e m a t i c a n d r a p i d i m p r o v e m e n t i n t h e s l u m con­
d i t i o n s in t h a t c o u n t r y .
A i g o r o u s s t e p s a r e b e i n g t a k e n i n b o t h c o u n t r i e s t o u r g e local
a u t h o r i t i e s t o m a k e a c t i v e u s e of t h e n e w p o w e r s c o n f e r r e d upon
them.
:
;
T h e p u r p o s e u n d e r l y i n g t h e l o n g r a n g e p o l i c y of t h e G o v e r n m e n t ,
a s d e s c r i b e d b r i e f l y i n t h e f o r e g o i n g p a r a g r a p h s , i s so t o i m p r o v e the
g e n e r a l e c o n o m i c c o n d i t i o n of t h e c o u n t r y t h a t full a n d i m m e d i a t e
a d v a n t a g e m a y b e t a k e n of a n y i m p r o v e m e n t i n g e n e r a l world
t r a d e c o n d i t i o n s . I t is o n l y t h r o u g h a n i n c r e a s e i n n a t i o n a l pro­
d u c t i v e and. - m a r k e t i n g efficiency t h a t t h e c a p a c i t y of i n d u s t r y to
a b s o r b l a b o u r -will u l t i m a t e l y b e i n c r e a s e d . ­
(8188-S2)
W t . 17774-1246 12,12,60
11/30
P. St. Q. 304
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