HC Deb 11 December 1928 vol 223 cc1917-8
84. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Minister of Health if he will specify the unions in England and Wales where he is at the present date insisting on the strict application of the Relief Regulation Order in respect to outdoor relief to able-bodied single men and to able-bodied married men and their dependants?

Sir K. WOOD

I do not think I can usefully add to the reply to the question on this subject which was put by the hon. Member on the 3rd instant. It was then stated that my right hon. Friend had decided that only in exceptional circumstances can a general distribution of outdoor relief be allowed to continue as a normal means of relieving able-bodied persons. As a matter of fact, in a majority of the unions of the country relief is being administered in accordance with the Relief Regulation Order.

Mr. LANSBURY

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us the names of the unions in the case of which the Department is permitting such outdoor relief to be given?

Sir K. WOOD

To do that we should have to go through all the files, which would be a long process. I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman wants to press us in that direction.

Mr. LANSBURY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the outdoor relief figures go down while the unemployment figures go up; and how does he account for that, except by the fact that the Department will not allow guardians to give outdoor relief to these men, and so is creating the conditions which this House is discussing day by day?

Sir K. WOOD

The matter is a very difficult one to deal with by question and answer. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will confer with me, and I will see if there is any general indication that I can give him as to the proportion.

Mr. LAWSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that guardians are not only refusing relief to able-bodied men who are not receiving unemployment benefit, but are also refusing them admission to the workhouse?

Sir K. WOOD

I should like particulars regarding that question.

Mr. JOHN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that last week one of the inspectors of his Department condemned the Bridgend Board of Guardians for giving relief to able-bodied men?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a separate question.

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