§ 30. Mr. MARCUSasked the Minister of Health if, in view of the increasing practice on the part of public assistance committees to require unemployed applicants for relief to perform, as a condition of receiving such relief, work which should be done in the normal way at trade union rates of wages, he will take steps to bring this practice to an end?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am not aware of any general tendency on the part of public assistance authorities to displace paid labour in the manner suggested, nor would I give my approval to schemes involving substitution of test labour for ordinary employment. I should be glad to make inquiries into any case in which there is evidence of such substitution.
§ 31. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Minister of Health whether he will issue a regulation making better arrangements for those who are performing task work, seeing that they are at a disadvantage in not being available to go in search of work and to be interviewed by prospective employers during many hours of the working day?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI understand that the hours of work are usually arranged by public assistance authorities so as not to interfere with such regular opportunities for work-seeking as are customary in the locality, and that arrangements are also made for special leave of absence to be granted to any man who has the definite offer of a job. I do not think, therefore, that there is occasion for any further regulations in the matter.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the matter is entirely within the discretion of the local authority and, if it is, would he issue a general recommendation so as to make the practice of giving facilities uniform?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe matter is one for the local authority. I have already made representations, and I am prepared to do so again in any case brought to my notice.