§ 25. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Minister of Health the total sum paid in outdoor relief up to date to the dependants of miners in the coal stoppage, and how this sum compares with the proceeds of the levy on the Russian workers?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the reply given to a somewhat similar question on Tuesday, from which he will see that the cost of outdoor relief in areas directly affected by the dispute increased in the period from, the beginning of May to October last by approximately £5,800,000 as compared with the rate of expenditure in April, 1926. I am informed that sums amounting to £1,087,000 have been sent from Russia.
Mr. THORNEIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that the large sums sent by Russia and other countries have been the means of saving ratepayers a good deal of money?
§ Mr. WALLHEADIs it not a fact that much of the money advanced in relief is advanced on loan and those who receive it are expected to pay it back? Further, does the hon. Gentleman consider there is any moral turpitude in the sending of money by Russian workers in relief of the distress of British workers?
§ Lieut.-Commander ASTBURYHas there ever been an account published as to how the money from Russia has been distributed.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not come within the province of the Minister of Health.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs it not the case that if the Home Secretary had the courage of his convictions, he would have stopped that money coming into the country?
§ Mr. WALLHEADMay I have an answer to my first, supplementary question?
§ Sir K. WOODA great deal of the money has been advanced on loan, and I hope, as in the case of previous disputes, it will be repaid.
§ Sir A. KNOXDoes the hon. Gentleman consider it fair that willing workers should be taxed in order to support the dependants of the miners?
26. The hon. Member also asked the Minister the average weekly relief paid by Poor Law guardians to the wives and children of miners during the coal stoppage; and how these amounts compare with the relief granted in former trade disputes?
§ Sir K. WOODThe exact figures sought by my hon. Friend are not available, but it is estimated that in areas directly affected by the dispute in the coal-mining industry, the expenditure on outdoor relief increased from May to October by an amount equal to an average weekly expenditure of £223,000. In the same areas during the dispute of 1921 the average additional weekly expenditure is estimated to have been £65,400.
Mr. RICHARDSONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that prior to the dispute it was calculated that for every £10 paid 1233 by miners to poor relief they only received £1 back?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir.
§ 37. Mr. ARTHUR GREENWOODasked the Minister of Health whether he has been informed of any cases where relieving officers have refused to receive applications for emergency relief, and, if so, in what areas; and whether he will immediately draw the attention of boards of guardians and relieving officers to the statutory duty of such officers to relieve urgent cases of necessity?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend has not been informed of any such cases. As regards the last part of the question, I am sending the hon. Member copies of circular letters recently issued dealing with the position of boards of guardians and of relieving officers.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs the hon. Member not aware that in the Doncaster area where relieving officers have been appealed to by 259 women, the relieving officers state that the action of the Minister and the resolutions of the guardians have restricted them in carrying out their statutory duty? Will the Minister intimate to the relieving officers that their statutory duties stand, whatever resolutions may be adopted?
§ Sir K. WOODI have no information of any such statement. Full instructions have been given to the relieving officers of the country, and I have no reason to think that they are not adequately and properly carrying out their duties.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSAre we to understand from the hon. Member's answer that the statutory duties of the relieving officers still remain with them, notwithstanding any resolution which boards of guardians may have passed?
§ Sir K. WOODI should have thought that it was obvious that any statutory duty would remain.
§ 38. Mr. PALINGasked the Minister of Health what boards of guardians have suspended out-relief to miners' dependants; and what provision these authorities have made to relieve destitution?
§ Sir K. WOODThere are 24 cases in which boards of guardians have resolved that out-relief shall not ordinarily be given to the dependants of miners. I am sending the hon. Member a list of the names of these unions. Where such a decision is reached by a board of guardians the relief of destitution is carried out either in institutions or, in sudden or urgent cases, by the grant by the relieving officers of relief in kind.
§ 39. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Doncaster Board of Guardians propose to cease the payment of all out-relief this week; and whether he will make representations to the board to continue out-relief, in view of the insufficient indoor accommodation in the area under the control of the board?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend understands that the guardians have reconsidered their decision, and will continue to make payments of outdoor relief. I may say that my right hon. Friend is not aware that the institutional accommodation available to the guardians is insufficient for their needs.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIn case an application is made by any woman who feels that the 6s. allowed is insufficient to maintain her, can the Minister say whether or not the relieving officer will be obliged to deal with a case of that description?
§ Sir K. WOODI think we had better await until such a case arises.