§ 6. Mr. BANFIELDasked the Minister of Labour whether he can state by whose instructions the managers of Employment Exchanges at Bilston, Wednesbury, Darlaston and Tipton interviewed unemployed men signing on at these Exchanges and invited them to volunteer under the voluntary scheme for the reclamation of waste land at Bilston, Staffordshire, by which men on transitional benefit were required to volunteer to work 40 hours per week for an additional 2s. per week to their Employment Exchange allowance; and whether he will take steps to institute a scheme for the reclamation of waste land in the Black Country by which the local authorities can pay the standard rates to unemployed men for this work?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThere is an instructional centre organised by my Department, by arrangement with the Bilston Urban District Council. I am 289 sending the hon. Member a copy of a descriptive leaflet which was issued to all men concerned. The action of the Exchange managers in inviting men to volunteer for this scheme was taken in accordance with my instructions. As regards the second part of the question, I have no power under the existing law to proceed as suggested.
§ Mr. HANNONWill the right hon. Gentleman say if the experiment that has been tried in this instance has not been of the very greatest advantage to the people concerned?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI think that there is no doubt that that is so.
§ Mr. BANFIELDIs the Minister aware that this scheme has caused tremendous discontent, irritation and dissatisfaction among the men employed on it?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, Sir; it has been received with the greatest satisfaction.
§ Mr. LAWSONMay I ask if there is any regard to the wages paid for this class of work, in starting these schemes?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONYes, Sir. There would be no wages paid for this class of work, for the simple reason that the work would not be done at all if it were not done in this way.
§ Captain Sir WILLIAM BRASSIs it not a fact that these men would far rather be working than idle?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI always assume in this matter that the men would prefer work to idleness.
§ Mr. DAVID GRENFELLWill the Minister assist the House by publishing the conditions of the scheme?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI have here instructions which I am sending on to the hon. Member, and a copy of the descriptive leaflet issued by my Department.
§ Mr. GRENFELLWill the Minister see that it is published in the OFFICIAL REPORT?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI certainly will, if it is not too long. I should like it to be published.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND- TROYTECan my right hon. Friend say why the Socialist party always objects to work being found for men who are unemployed?
§ Mr. GEOFFREY PETOI am the Member for Bilston, and I have not had a chance yet of speaking on this matter. May I ask whether the scheme is not very welcome to the men, who are glad to be able to keep fit and in training, and to be doing something for the community, as well as earning a certain amount of money and meals which were not mentioned in the question?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThere is no doubt about that at all.