§ 26. Mr. AMMONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that unemployed persons in receipt of relief from the Bristol Board of Guardians are compelled to report and sign twice daily; and whether, seeing that it is impossible under such circumstances for men or women to seek for work, he will recommend the guardians to reconsider their policy?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am aware of the requirement of this board of guardians, and I understand that they are at present considering whether any modification of that requirement is necessary on the ground that it places an unnecessary obstacle in the way of the obtaining of employment.
§ 57. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the reason why he has instructed the parish council of Bonhill to reduce scales of relief to able bodied unemployed and, if so, what is the amount of reduction involved?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Major Elliot)I am informed that at a meeting of the Bonhill Parish Council held on the 4th instant the parish council resolved to reduce the scale of relief to married able-bodied unemployed by one-third and to single, able-bodied unemployed by two-thirds. The reduction was not the result of any recommendation or instruction by the Scottish Board of Health. The action taken by the parish council was fully within their discretion, but any dissatisfied recipient of relief has a right of appeal to the Board.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODAm I to understand that the Scottish Board of Health did not instruct the parish of Bonhill to reduce their scale of relief?
§ Major ELLIOTYes, absolutely.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs it not a fact that this reduction is due to the circular issued by the Scottish Board of Health advising all parish councils to pay only the unemployment benefit as relief.
§ Major ELLIOTNo, Sir. It has nothing to do with that. It is a question of a reduction which, I believe, is under the scale of unemployment relief.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWill the Under-Secretary reply to the last part of my question as to what is the amount of the reduction involved?
§ Major ELLIOTI think I have given that information given that information in my answer.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman state what amount a married man and his wife and two children now receive in parish relief? Will he state the actual figures?
§ Major ELLIOTAs the hon. Member knows, the amount of monetary reduction may vary in each particular case. I was asked the amount of reduction involved, and I gave an answer to that question.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the Under-Secretary aware of the fact that the reduction is from £2 per week down to 27s. per week in the case of a man and his wife with a large family?