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Recent developments in Swedish population policy. Part 2

Summary This concludes the study, the first part of which appeared in vol. II, no. I of Population Studies. The present section deals with such collective schemes as free confinement services for all mothers, maternity and infant homes, free admittance to maternity and infant welfare clinics, non-residential child welfare institutions, free school meals and free travel for mothers and children. The chief measure in Swedish population policy is the child allowance granted to all children in all families. Children of invalids, widows, unmarried mothers, etc., receive supplementary grants. Provisions aiming to overcome man-power difficulties in industry and in the home are discussed, including immigration, the rationalization of household work, home helps service, etc. The proposal for a Population Institute is considered, and the cost of the various measures of Swedish population policy is estimated.

The Location of Industry

THE attention which is now being given to the location of industry was reflected not only in Prof. P. Sargant Florence's presidential address to Section F (Economic Science and Statistics) of the British Association on September 3, but also in the discussion by the same Section on September 2 of problems of labour transference. Mr. H. C. Emmerson, assistant secretary to the Ministry of Labour, who opened the discussion in place of Mr. Humbert Wolfe, described the work which the Ministry of Labour has been carrying out since 1928 to assist the unemployed. Men and women from the depressed areas are given the first opportunity of vacancies in other areas and are assisted if necessary by free travel, special allowances and a lodging allowance. In 1936, no fewer than 20,000 men and 8,000 women were placed through the exchanges. A juvenile employment scheme was started in 1928, and Mr. Emmerson also described a household removal scheme by which a man is assisted to take his family to the place of his new employment, and a family removal scheme which sends members of one family to work in one place. 10,000 removals have taken place under the two schemes.