65. Lieut - Colonel GUINNESSasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to allegations that men in full employment are taking part in unemployed processions with the object of sharing in the proceeds of the collections made; and whether he will take steps, in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour, to supervise street collections for the unemployed, and to ensure that a participation in the proceeds is only allowed to persons genuinely out of work and who an; British subjects?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo case of the nature referred to in the first portion of the question has been brought to my notice. As regards the supervision of street collections on behalf of the unemployed, I will send to the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the special and additional conditions attached to the official permits issued by the Commissioner to accredited committees. The police cannot supervise the distribution of the proceeds: it is the business of the committee concerned to ensure that only genuinely unemployed British subjects are allowed to participate.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSWhat steps are taken to prevent people who are not out of work joining these processions?
§ Mr. SHORTTWe cannot prevent them joining, of course, but the committees concerned must take steps to see that they do not participate in the proceeds.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTIn view of the desire of the population, as has been shown every day, to assist cases of real distress, will it be made clear that no man who is in receipt of unemployed donation who takes part in these processions will continue to receive the donation if discovered?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo, Sir.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTWhy not?