§ MR. THORNEI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that some of the funds placed by him at the disposal of the Brighton Distress Com- 924 mittee are being used by them to provide cheap labour for a weaving firm in Haworth, Yorkshire; and whether he intends taking any action in the matter.
THE PRESIDENT of the LOCAL (GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JOHN BURNS, Battersea)I understand that the Distress Committee, in exercise of powers conferred upon them by the Unemployed Workmen Act, 1905, have assisted the removal of two families to Haworth, for the purpose of enabling them to take advantage of an opportunity of obtaining permanent and remunerative employment in certain mills in that town. The whole of the cost of the removal has, however, been borne by the rate contribution account, and no part of it has been defrayed in the manner stated in the Question. The entire amount paid to the Committee out of the Parliamentary Grant has been expended in the provision of temporary work in Brighton.