§ 42. Sir P. HARRISasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is a large increase in the number of able-bodied men in London since October last granted domiciliary relief; to what extent this increase is clue to unemployment and disqualification by courts of referees of applicants for unemployment benefit; whether he proposes to sanction additional places at non-residential training centres; and whether he has any proposals to deal with the situation?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Ernest Brown)The answer to the first part is Yes. As regards the second part, my right hon. Friend has no information as to the extent to which persons whose claims to unemployment insurance benefit or transitional payments are disallowed apply for public assistance, nor as to the extent to which applications are due to sickness and want of work or other causes. As regards the third part, arrangements made by public assistance authorities for setting to work, training and instructing able-bodied men in receipt of outdoor relief do not require my right hon. Friend's sanction, but he understands the arrangements made in London to have been recently extended and a further substantial extension to be in contemplation. As regards the last part of the question, the hon. Member must await the report of the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance.