§ 22. Mr. T. SMITHasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in consequence of the postponement of the second appointed day under the Unemployment Act, unemployed men are still being subjected to test work, and that for instance, at Ipswich 260 men are now on test work; and whether, in view of the request made by these men for its discontinuance, he will advise public assistance authorities that advantage should not be taken of the postponement of the second appointed day to continue test work?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second in the negative. I would remind the hon. Member 1367 that the requirement in the Relief Regulation Order, 1930, that able-bodied men should be set to work or trained or instructed is still in force and that it is in the best interests of the men themselves that they should be provided with regular occupation in order to maintain or improve their employability.