asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, according to the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" for November, the percentage of unemployed in the North-Eastern district on 23rd October was 42·5 per cent, in shipbuilding and 26·7 in engineering, as compared with an average rate of unemployment for the whole of the country of 12 per cent, in insured trades; and, in view of the extra burden thrown on the ratepayers in this district on account of relief granted to able-bodied unemployed as compared with the burden borne by the rest of the country, will he consider the desirability of equalising the burden by making special grants to such necessitous industrial areas, as is already done in the Metropolitan Poor Law area and also by the Board of Education in certain necessitous school areas?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the heavy unemployment in the North-eastern district. As at present advised, however, he has no reason to suppose that the needs of the situation are not adequately met by the arrangements under which local authorities can, with his sanction, contract loans to carry them over the present difficult times. He doubts whether any equalisation on the lines of the schemes mentioned in the question would be practicable.

Will the right hon. gentleman represent to the Minister of Health that direct loans for six months, or even five years, only add to the rates; and cannot the Government come to some decision on this point with regard to necessitous areas before the House rises?

I will see that the matter is fully put before the Minister of Health.

asked the Minister of Labour the 12 chief industrial centres in which there is the greatest volume of unemployment at the present time; whether all of them come under the definition of necessitous areas; and what steps he has taken to relieve the pressure on local finances?

The centres in question are as follow:

• Barrow-in-Furness.
• Redruth and Cambourne.
• Cradley Heath.
• Sunderland.
• Jarrow.
• Hartlepool.
• Ebbw Vale.
• Middlesbrough.
• Wednesbury.
• Newcastle.
• Sheffield.
• Glasgow.

I do not know what my hon. Friend means in this connection by "the definition of necessitous areas.' The system of relieving local finances by means of loans to boards of guardians and small local authorities, where such authorities cannot finance themselves, is being continued. I may also refer to the general assistance given, and to be given, by the Government in relieving the unemployed and promoting trade.

Why is West Ham left out, considering that we had to borrow £1,000,000 since the slump in trade in order to relieve unemployment?

If the hon. Member looks at the question, he will see that the point at issue is, where is the greatest volume of unemployment.

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that—

Speak up!

I will speak up if you shut up.

I think if the hon. Member looks towards the Chair, and addresses the Chair, he will get better attention.

I was looking at the Prime Minister, but I will try to look at you, Sir. I wish to ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that owing to his refusal to receive a deputation of the unemployed men now assembled in London from all parts of the country, large numbers of unemployed men have expressed their determination to join their comrades in the Metropolis; whether he is aware that the cost of maintaining the men already in London and those who may join them, falls on the ratepayers of the poorer districts, and whether he is also aware that small-pox and other diseases are prevalent' in London and that the presence of these men, whose vitality and standard of life have been severely reduced, may become a menace to tho whole country; and whether, under these circumstances, he will reconsider his decision and receive the deputation in order that the men may return to their homes at the earliest possible moment?

If the House will allow me to add to that—to save me rising again—I may say that to-day for the first time the police have commenced to arrest these men simply for walking along the street. Mr. Pickering, the clergyman who is with them, has been arrested this morning. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order."]

I can add nothing to previous statements upon this subject, except to suggest that the facts mentioned in the last part of the hon. Member's question, of which he gave me notice, seem to me to be a strong argument in favour of these poor people returning home.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assist to solve the problem which has been set up as a result of these men coming to London, by relaxing his lirmness of last week and receiving the deputation?

I wish to give notice that I will raise this question again on the Motion for Adjournment this evening.

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, "the attempt to interfere with the freedom of the Press by issuing a statement to selected newspapers as official information, at the same time requiring the source of the information to be kept secret."