§ 3. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will reconsider the circular which he issued last year advising parish councils to observe the exchange payments as the scale for unemployed persons; and if, in view of the winter with the cost of fuel and light and other needs of life, he will advise the parish councils to resume the former practice of paying a small amount in addition to exchange benefit?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)I regret that I cannot see my way to in- 5 struct the Scottish Board of Health to withdraw the advice given in the circular referred to. I have no evidence that the allowances which were generally operative last winter proved to be insufficient.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn view of the fact that many of these persons are unemployed for the second winter in succession, and that originally they had somewhat small resources, will not the right hon. Gentleman give consideration to the point that 29s. a week is totally inadequate to keep five persons, and ask that that sum may be augmented, if the parish council think fit?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe parish councils are in a position to deal with special circumstances in very special cases, and I think they have very wide powers.