66. Mr. W. Joseph Stewartasked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to deal with the question of men declared by the Unemployment Assistance Board as ineligible for assistance; and is he aware that, owing to the action of the Board, large numbers of able-bodied unemployed are being made subject to Poor Law relief?
§ Mr. E. BrownI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to questions on this subject on Thursday last by the hon. Member for Stoke (Mr. E. Smith) of which I am sending him a copy.
Mr. StewartIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the local authorities have to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds annually to maintain able-bodied unemployed whose maintenance ought to be a national, and not a local charge?
§ Mr. BrownIf the hon. Member will study the answer which I am sending him, he will see that I received a deputation from the authorities affected, and I am considering the points which they put to me.
§ Mr. ThorneWill the right hon. Gentleman be able to give a definite reply before the House adjourns?
§ Mr. ThorneThen I suppose we have to wait until about November?