§ 29. Mr. SUTTONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the decision of the Manchester Board of Guardians to stop all relief to the miners who are locked out in the Manchester district; and. will he say whether the guardians have taken this action at his request?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs the hon. Member is aware, the relief of miners is lawful only within the limits laid down in the Merthyr Tydfil judgment and re-stated in the circular letter issued by me on the 5th May. It was reported to me that certain miners were beings relieved in the Manchester Union in the belief that the judgment did not apply to them. I accordingly informed the guardians, after making inquiries, that on the information before me these miners appeared to be in precisely the same position as persons ordinarily employed in mines in other parts of the country and that relief could only be afforded to them within the limits mentioned. I understand that the guardians are now complying with the law in this matter.
§ Mr. SUTTONSeeing these men are unemployed through no fault of their own, will the right hon. Gentleman get the Government to introduce legislation so that these men and women will not have to starve?
§ Mr. SUTTONThey are locked out.
§ Major COLFOXDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider the present stoppage is in any sense a lock-out?
§ Mr. SUTTONYou ought to go and work.
§ Mr. PALINGIt would be a new experience.