Mr. Clynes on Wednesday moved a Labour amendment to the
Address regretting that the Government had not promised a Bill "recognizing the right of the genuine unemployed to work or adequate maintenance." He said that the Govern. ment had made no effective attempt to deal with unemploy- ment, but he carefully abstained from making any alternative proposals. Dr. Macnamara„ the Minister of Labour, in reply described what the Government were doing. On new or
improved roads, to cost £10,500,000, 35,000 men were employed over and above the ordinary number, and work had been found for as many more in the dockyards and the Arsenal and in other places. Unemployment insurance would be further extended ; the weekly benefit would be raised to 18s. for men and 15s. for women, and the joint weekly contribution from employer and employed would be lid. instead of 8d. Dr. Macnamara pointed out that a third of the million unemployed were ex-Service men. He commented severely en the selfish refusal of the builders' unions to admit any of these men as members. On February 3rd 6,650 bricklayers and plasterers were wanted, while only 466 were available. For lack of brioklayers new houses could not be built, and painters, carpenters, and glaziers were therefore unemployed.
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