§ 35. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Health whether his Department has issued instructions, written or oral, to any board of guardians that able-bodied men set to test work shall all be expected to fulfil the same test during any given week, no matter what amount of relief is given; is he aware that some boards of guardians are acting on the assumption that if an applicant is receiving 28s. a week unemployment pay and receives 10s. as Poor Law relief he is expected to perform an exactly similar task, both as to length of time and quantity of work done, as a man who receives a full week's relief of 38s.; and whether he will issue an official order making it clear whether boards of guardians are or are not compelled to force able-bodied applicants for relief to submit to test work, not only in return for relief paid them, but also for the unemployment pay?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe effect of the existing Regulations is correctly stated in the first part of the question, and hoards of guardians who act in the manner suggested in the second part are complying with those Regulations: the test work required has nothing to do with unemployment benefit. The existing Regulations are well understood, and I see no reason for issuing any further Order.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the facts are as stated in the question, and that a man who is in receipt, of unemployment benefit is compelled to do test work in connection with it even though he receives only 2s. or 3s. from the guardians? Does he consider that is right? Will he not issue a clear statement, so that boards of guardians may know what they may or may not do?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs I pointed out in my answer, the question of unemployment benefit has nothing to do with this point. The test is imposed in connection with relief, and not unemployment benefit.
§ Mr. LANSBURYBut boards of guardians are compelling men who receive — [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"] The question I am putting to the right hon. Gentleman is that boards of guardians 1295 are compelling men who receive unemployment pay —[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"] You will not shut me up. You may shut up the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but you will not shut me up.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI hope the hon. Gentleman will not take up more time than is necessary in putting his question.
§ Mr. LANSBURYThe question I am putting to the right hon. Gentleman is whether he is aware that boards of guardians are compelling men to do test work for the unemployment benefit pay they receive and for which they have paid their contributions; and I ask him whether, in order that the facts may be made clear, he will issue Regulations, or a Circular, showing what boards of guardians are to do in the matter?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI can only repeat that guardians are not imposing test work in connection with unemployment benefit.
§ Mr. LANSBURYBut they are. If I give the right hon. Gentleman a case will he look into it?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Minister has given a definite answer.