§ 1. Mr. MESSERasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that dissatisfaction is being caused in consequence of the lower rates of unemployment assistance which is granted at the Leyton area office than is granted at the Wood Green area office; and whether he will take immediate steps to remedy this by arranging for all North Middlesex claimants to attend the Wood Green area office?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADNo, Sir. I am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that there is no evidence that there is any difference of practice as between the two offices concerned.
§ Mr. MESSERIf I send the hon. and gallant Gentleman evidence showing that there is a difference, will he give it consideration; and will he reconsider the whole question from the point of view of the difficulty of getting to Leyton, when Wood Green is just 10 minutes away?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADThe expenses are duly apportioned. It would be wrong to imagine that the entire expense comes out of the Unemployment Insurance Fund; cross entries are involved between the Exchequer and the fund.
§ Following is the statement:
§ The following table shows the expenditure charged to the Unemployment Fund in respect of new works, alterations, additions and purchases in connection with Employment Exchange and divisional office premises during the last five years:
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADI will consider any evidence that the hon. Member wishes to send me.
§ Mr. MESSERAnd the other point—the difficulty of getting to Leyton?