§ 29. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that unemployed men whose benefit is stopped subject to appeal are being given test work by the guardians and relief on condition that they repay the relief if the appeal is subsequently allowed; that in practice this means the men do work, often of a very arduous nature, for no pay at all, and that while doing this test work they are unable to seek employment; and will he look into this matter?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe regulations in force contemplate that task work should be required in every case in which outdoor relief is given to an able-bodied man and permit the grant of such relief on loan at the discretion of the guardians, but in practice boards of guardians do not at the present time generally enforce such a test in the limited class of cases mentioned in the question. Arrangements are invariably made to secure that men who are set to work shall have all reasonable opportunities to seek employment.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Hull Guardians are actually doing it now and that they state that this is by orders from the Ministry of Health?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, I am not aware of that fact. I inferred from the question put by the hon. and gallant Member that something of the kind was going on in Hull, but I was not aware that it was by order of the Ministry of Health.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman look into it, as I was informed of this by a very responsible official in Hull?
§ Mr. TAYLORIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his officials are pressing the Lincoln Guardians to impose test work as a condition of relief?
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman has now changed the procedure that has been going on for 10 years, and that he is 323 compelling boards of guardians to administer the law rigidly according to orders?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIt is quite true that the Regulations have not been strictly observed, but I think it is time that they were more strictly observed.
§ Mr. LANSBURYDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that a time when unemployment is increasing and very decent, respectable, hard working families are suffering is a time for tightening up the Regulations?
§ Mr. JAMES HUDSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman think these Regulations should be more strictly observed at a time when, from the Government Front Bench, special appeals are being made on account of the distressed areas?