HC Deb 04 December 1930 vol 245 cc2360-1
21. Colonel HOWARD-BURY

asked the Minister of Labour whether she will consider the issue of food tickets or vouchers for groceries at the local shops by the Employment Exchange offices in part payment of unemployment benefit?

Miss BONDFIELD

No, Sir.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is the right hon. Lady aware that this system worked very successfully during the War?

HON. MEMBERS

Shame!

Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

Will the Minister of Labour say what objection she has to adopting this method [HON. MEMBERS: "Shame!"] Is she aware that in many cases a considerable amount of the unemployed benefit is utilised for purposes with which I do not think the Government would agree?

HON. MEMBERS

Shame!

Miss BONDFIELD

Can the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich, East (Sir F. Hall) guarantee that food tickets would not be improperly used?

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Arising out of the answer—

Sir F. HALL

You do not like it. Why not be honest about it?

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is it not the case that the right hon. Lady has found from her experience that money placed into the hands of the mothers of the working class is better spent than given in this fashion?

Miss BONDFIELD indicated assent

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