94. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that in all the heavy iron and steel districts the recent change in unemployment benefit regulations is throwing a larger number of unemployed men on to the rates, which are already much higher than the average for the whole country; and, in view of this added burden on districts already heavily over-rated, will the Government again consider the possibility of granting some assistance to these areas so as to more nearly equalise the burden of unemployment on the local rates throughout the country?
§ is available; but as it contains a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following are the particulars circulated:
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am afraid I can add nothing to the reply given by the Prime Minister to a similar question put by the hon. Member on Tuesday last.
Mr. THOMSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that things have been getting considerably worse in the past few weeks, and will he therefore reconsider the matter?