asked the Minister of Labour if any schemes of work are in contemplation for the employment of the growing number of unemployed men and women textile workers in the areas of Morley, Ossett, Batley, and Dewsbury, known as the heavy woollen district?

All local authorities have been invited to prepare schemes of work and to apply for Government assistance, on definite terms, if unemployment in their areas is severe; and I would point out that it is the duty of local authorities to take full advantage of this invitation. As regards the present winter, all the schemes submitted by Morley, amounting to a total cost of £16,000, have been approved for a Government grant. One scheme has been submitted by Batley, but so far it has not been possible to approve it. No scheme has been submitted by Dewsbury or Ossett.