§ 58. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is now the position with regard to able-bodied men who have applied for relief from the Montrose public assistance committee; if he is aware that two men have been refused relief because they refused to perform test work; and, in view of the illegality of this action, what steps he proposes to take to enforce the law in such cases?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)As stated in reply to a previous question, the Department of Health were assured by the County Clerk of Angus, as instructed by the county public assistance committee, that destitute able-bodied poor who applied for relief at Montrose Public Assistance Office were not required to perform work, but if they were willing to work every endeavour was made to find work for them. The Department have made subsequent inquiry as to the position and have ascertained that some misunderstanding appears to have arisen on the part of the county public assistance committee as to the practice of the local committee. The position is to be reconsidered by the Montrose Committee at the beginning of next week and also by the public assistance committee of the county at their next meeting. In these circumstances I propose to await the decision of the public assistance committee.
§ Mr. BUCHANANI thank the hon. Gentleman for his reply. Will he in the meantime see that the two men who are involved here get at least some form of relief until a decision is reached?
§ Mr. SKELTONI will convey that suggestion to my right hon. Friend.