§ 2. Mr. STEPHENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average cost of a suit of clothes and coat supplied to men by the Public Assistance Committee of Glasgow Corporation; and whether he is aware that people receiving such clothes are being called upon to pay one shilling a week from their allowance to repay the cost of such garments?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe average cost of a suit of clothes supplied by the Public Assistance Committee of Glasgow Corporation to able-bodied persons out of employment is 22s. The average cost of a coat is 18s. The relief allowances to the able-bodied are intended to cover the cost of clothing, but where suits or coats are supplied deductions, usually at the rate of 1s. per week, are made from the allowances in cases where the committee so decide.
§ Mr. STEPHENWill the right hon. Gentleman see that the fair wages clause is observed with regard to the production of those clothes, and will he ascertain what the material is, whether it is paper, or what other material?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI will make inquiries.
§ 3. Mr. STEPHENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Public Assistance Committee of Glasgow Corporation are providing old boots which have been worn previously by other children for children of the sick poor when their own boots are under repair; and whether he will take the necessary steps to stop this practice with its grave risks of infection?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am informed that the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part of the question does not arise.
§ Mr. STEPHENWill the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries, because a constituent of mine came to me with a pair of worn boots, which I sent back, and her boy had to go without boots until his own boots were repaired?
§ Mr. ELLIOTAny information which the hon. Member can give me I shall be very glad to look into.