§ 18. Sir R. THOMASasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that unemployed single men in the depressed areas are in great distress, being ineligible for unemployment relief, disqualified for parish relief, and unprovided for by the Lord Mayor's Fund; and whether he will take early action to mitigate the condition of this section of the unemployed?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI am not aware that the position is as stated by the hon. Member. The question of eligibility for poor relief or for assistance from the Lord Mayor's Fund is not a matter for my Department. As regards unemployment benefit, there is no special disqualification of single men, and in fact large numbers of such men are drawing benefit. I may add that the facilities offered by my Department by way of training, transfer and emigration are, in the nature of things, much more easily available for single men, who are willing to take advantage of them, than for married men with dependants.