§ SIR JOHN RANDLES (Cumberland, Cockermouth)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether there has been any grant for the relief of distress at Workington or Maryport following applications from these districts; is there any possibility of his taking steps to prevent persons who have accepted test work at the stoneyard from the Cockermouth Board 114 of Guardians under special, temporary, and exceptional circumstances due to unemployment being disfranchised; and whether his attention has been called to the fact that the special committee on distress due to unemployment in 1895, of which he was a member, recommended that persons so relieved should not be disfranchised.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. There is no distress committee for either of the places mentioned, so that no payment could be made to them from the grant at the present time. I have, however, given consideration to the circumstances of both places, have made inquiries with regard to them, and I am now in communication with the local authorities as respects the distress in them. Legislation would be necessary to give effect to the suggestion in the second part of the Question. I am aware of the Report of the Committee of 1895, but I am afraid I could not hold out any promise of legislation on the subject at the present time.