HC Deb 10 June 1931 vol 253 cc1009-10
63. Mr. BROCKWAY

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that persons doing test work under the public assistance committees of the London County Council are employed on the destruction and reconstruction of buildings, and the making of mattresses, furniture, boots and uniforms, for which work the return is relief of 10s. a week and less; whether his attention has been drawn to the complaints that this work and its conditions interfere with trade union standards; and whether he is prepared to issue Regulations in relation to this matter?

Miss LAWRENCE

My right hon. Friend has been in correspondence with the London County Council on the whole question of test work, and has made it clear that his approval of any such work proposed is subject to the condition that it does not cover work which forms part of necessary maintenance or upkeep and would otherwise be done for wages. Inmates of an institution may, however, properly perform work connected with the institution. My right hon. Friend is advised that work on the destruction and reconstruction of buildings appears only to be carried out at residential institutions, and generally that any products of the work are used solely for the purpose of the centres or the persons attending them, and no displacement of outside labour is involved.

As regards the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend has more than once explained, both in this House and in reply to complaints of the kind in question, that the criticism is based on a misunderstanding. Work performed under Article 6 of the Belief Regulation Order, 1930, as a condition of the grant of relief, is not work for wages, the amount of relief being determined not by the work performed but by the needs of the applicant's household. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative.

Mr. BROCKWAY

Is it not the case that a payment of less than 10s. is made for a full week's work of this character, and cannot the Government issue regulations which will prohibit this forced labour under sweated conditions?

Miss LAWRENCE

This is work which is being done in the institutions where the persons receive maintenance. I think the hon. Member had better look again into the question.

Mr. KINLEY

May I ask whether facilities could be provided for a full investigation of these conditions by representatives of the Soviet Government?