§ MR. DU CROSI beg to ask the Prime Minister whether it is proposed that distress committees, working under the regulations of the Unemployed Act, shall be empowered, if necessary, to extend the working period of sixteen weeks in any period of twelve months; and, if so, within what limits.
§ MR. GEORGE ROBERTS (Norwich)I beg also to ask the Prime Minister if it is intended to revise the distress committee regulations in respect of removing the restriction by which the period of work provided under the Unemployed Workmen Act is limited to sixteen weeks in any one year.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI will answer these Questions together. It is not proposed to alter the regulation referred to. As it stands, the restriction can be relaxed in particular cases with the consent of the Local Government Board, and in some instances this consent has already been given.