§ 59. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Labour whether his officials at Employment Exchanges are authorised to pay railway fares for unemployed persons who are instructed to make application for work several miles away from their homes; and the minimum distance for which railway fare is payable.
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDAn advance of fare by way of loan may be made to an applicant at an Employment Exchange when he has been engaged through an Exchange to take up employment at a place more than five miles from his ordinary residence, and has not the means to proceed to the work. If the applicant is insured, one-half of the amount by which the advance exceeds 4s, is in most cases paid out of the Unemployment Fund, and is not recoverable from him.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSMay I ask what happens when unemployed persons are sent to another district over five miles away and no railway fare is paid, in the event of such persons being unable to obtain employment after they have made the journey?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThat is very general question, and I am not sure that I could answer it in a general form even if it were put on the Paper, but, if the hon. Member has any case in mind, and will speak to me about it, I will look into it.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman tell us what happens in the ordinary course when men are sent for distances exceeding five miles, and no railway fare is paid by the Exchange, and then the men are unable to obtain work after they have made the journey?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIn this case, they were sent actually to take up employment, and, as far as I know, the question of their not getting the job would not, therefore, arise, because it was a case of taking up employment. Perhaps, however, the hon. Member will put down any further questions that he wishes to ask.
§ Miss WILKINSONWith regard to the right hon. Gentleman's original answer, to the effect that railway fare is only payable if the applicant is definitely engaged for particular work, may I ask whether railway fare is paid when the exchange sends a person in the expectation, so to speak, of getting work?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIf there are any other questions as to the conditions regarding payment of railway fares, or help in regard to railway fares, perhaps hon. Members will put them down. The matter is a little complicated, and I should not like to mislead any hon. Member by giving any answer that was not strictly accurate. I should have to refer to the Regulations.
§ Mr. PALINGIs not the question a direct question, and cannot a direct answer be given to it? What happens when people are sent after work and do not get it? Are their railway fares paid?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIf the hon. Member will put the question down, I will give him an answer.