§ 25. Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that on 23rd June an unemployed man, in possession of a travelling card and a current national health card with 22 stamps, left Middlesbrough to travel by road to Catterick, where he had an assurance of work, but on arrival at Darlington he had to seek shelter for the night in the casual ward; that in the morning he was told he would be detained until the next day in accordance with the Regulations; that ultimately the man was allowed out from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. to get his unemployment card stamped at the Exchange but was not allowed to sign for unemployment benefit on the ground that he was an inmate of the workhouse; and whether he will amend the Regulations so that the detention of a man in these circumstances shall not be required?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINMy attention has not previously been called to this case, but I will make inquiries.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDIs it within the discretion of the board of guardians to allow a man who is genuinely seeking employment to go, without performing any task?