§ 73. Mr. MILLSasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the public 808 assistance committees of Kent are giving to applicants for relief 36 hours' work, for which they have paid 5s. 6d. in cash and 5s. 6d. in kind as total payment; and whether, in view of the distress caused by these decisions, he will consider the question of task-work with a view to recommending approved scales of relief?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Miss Lawrence)My right hon. Friend is aware that the Kent County Council have started in several areas arrangements under Article 6 of the Relief Regulation Order, 1930, for setting to work, training and instructing men in receipt of relief, and that the hours of work, inclusive of an hour for dinner, are approximately as stated. Payment of half the relief in kind is in accordance with Article 7 of the Order. The amount of relief provided is that which is judged necessary by the public assistance authority in carrying out their obligation to relieve destitution and must be regarded from that point of view and not as payment of wages for work or as in relation to the work done.
§ Mr. MILLSIs the hon. Lady aware that these people have been engaged in doing work usually done by landscape gardeners and are receiving a scandalous rate of remuneration as an excuse for so-called Poor Law relief? I want particularly to ask the Department what steps they have in mind to counteract this abuse of the ordinary fair wages rates?
§ Miss LAWRENCEIf the hon. Member has any information to give me as to the nature of the work there, I shall be very grateful to receive it?
§ Mr. McSHANEIs it not a fact that the regulation does not specify that any specific number of hours shall be worked?
§ Miss LAWRENCEThat is true. The hours are not specified.
§ Mr. MILLSWill the hon. Lady take into consideration the fact that, if an unemployed man, the father of a family, is asked to do 36 hours task-work there is very little opportunity for him to register or to search for employment?
§ Mr. BROCKWAYIs the hon. Lady aware of the very strong feeling in regard to this matter not only in Kent but 809 in London and elsewhere, and cannot she take steps to revise the present arrangement under which this work is carried out?
§ Miss LAWRENCEI am aware that in some areas exception is taken to the manner in which local authorities are carrying out the work; I am also aware that in certain other areas very successful work is being carried on.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs not the rigour of these tasks the result of instructions given by her Department?
§ Miss LAWRENCEThe instructions sent out by the Department say that the work should be suitable for the age and physical capacity and education of those concerned, and my right hon. Friend feels that often where men are suffering from prolonged unemployment, training elsewhere and wise dieting are of benefit to the recipients.