§ 43. Mr. CECIL WILSONasked the Minister of Health if he will state, as regards the Sheffield and Ecclesall Unions, respectively, what is the average weekly number of persons who have received unemployment relief during the, last three months; and what is the average, weekly number in each union who have been put to the three days' task work?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAccording to information supplied by the clerks to the guardians of these Unions, the weekly numbers of persons who have received unemployment relief during the last three months are respectively 31,804 and 11,547. These figures include a number of dependants of persons receiving relief. The numbers of families relieved are 2034 9,120 and 2,997. No task work has been required to be performed in the Sheffield Union. The average weekly number put on a three days' task in the Ecclesall Bierlow Union is 159.
§ 70. Mr. PONSONBYasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Sheffield and Ecclesall guardians have arranged with the corporation for work to be undertaken by applicants for relief in order to test whether such applicants were desirous of work; whether this arrangement has been sanctioned by the Ministry of Health; how many applicants have been so put to the test; and what are the numbers, respectively, of those who are work-shy, physically unfit, and satisfactory workers?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe Ecclesall Bierlow Board of Guardians have, with my sanction, made an arrangement for a labour test of the nature referred to, and I am informed that the average weekly number required to perform a test is 159 No such arrangement has been made by the Sheffield Board of Guardians. I am afraid I have no information as regards the last part of the question.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERAs there are only 159 a week, is not an invidious selection made for this test work?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am not aware of any invidious selection. The, selection is in the hands of the Board of Guardians.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of appointing a small committee to consider this, and is he aware that there is very great indignation on the part of working men at the guardians degrading regular work to the level of test work in these institutions?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir, I do not see any reason for appointing a committee. The whole point is whether the test work should be absolutely useless work, or work of some value.
§ Mr. LANSBURYBut is this not work which should be done by the employment of ordinary labour, and is it right to make a test for relief?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI understand that this is not work which would be ordinarily done now, but some time in the future.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIt could be done by proper trade union labour.