In the House of Commons on Monday the Prime Minister
spoke of unemployment and distress and must haye convinced some of the sceptics of the Opposition that the Government have done more than is often admitted. Mr. Baldwin said that the policy of training and transfer was the main concern of the Government and would cost £2,000,000 this year and £3,000,000 next year. They had already spent £1,700,000 more than the estimate for helping the unemployed in general, without allowing for the heavy cost of social services and assistance under the derating scheme. The comparable figure next year would be £4,250,000. As regards the immediate distress, especially in the coal fields, the Government had decided to contribute £1 for every £1 privately subscribed to the Lord Mayor's Fund. This meant an immediate grant of £150,000. The papers of Wednesday published a moving appeal from the Prince of Wales, who has become Patron of the Lord Mayor's Fund. He invoked the same spirit of unity and common obligation which had made possible the self-sacrifices of the War. * * * *
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