BRITISH WORKERS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20501, 18 May 1938, Page 7

BRITISH WORKERS

HELP FOR UNEMPLOYED INBURANCE BCHEME EXTENDED RELIEVING THE DEPRESSED AREAS (Official Wireless) (Received May 18, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, May 17 Votes for the Ministry of Labour and the Unemployment Assistance Board were discussed in the Commltte’e of Supply, in the House of Commons. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour,*Mr A. T. LennoxBoyd, reviewing the various aspects of the work of the Ministry and the Board, stated that men and women were placed in employment through labour exchanges last year. Mr Lennox-Boyd added, dealing with industrial transference, that last year 17.500 men, 6500 women, snd about 7000 families were transferred, a high proportion being from the specially depressed areas. The Minister also referred to the extension of the’ unemployment insurance scheme, stating that whereas ten years ago the number of people enjoying the benefits of unemployment Insurance were 12.500,000 the figure to-day was 15,000,000. It unhappily was true that on April 4 the number of registered unemployed was as high as 1,748,000, but of those 358,000 were temporarily laid off. and It was reasonable to assume that a large proportion were expecting an early resumption of work. Criticism from Opposition The chief criticism from Opposition speakers was directed to the recent order of the Unemployment Assistance Board to its local officials to discontinue the additional grants authorised last autumn to meet winter conditions, with the rising cost of living. Mr Lennox-Boyd had previously drawn attention to the movements in the cost of living index, which he claimed justified tlie boards action and he added that the board bad under consideration a new regulation, which provided for increases during the winter months in future.