39. Mr. W. Joseph Stewartasked the Minister of Labour whether he will introduce legislation at an early date to amend Section 36 of the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1934, in order to include al/ able-bodied unemployed, whether coming within the conditions laid down by that Section of the Act or not, and the repeal of Section 45 of that Act, with the object of the Government assuming responsibility for the full 100 per cent. maintenance of all able-bodied unemployed?
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)No, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves) on 17th June last and the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) on 25th November last.
Mr. StewartIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the maintenance of the able-bodied unemployed in the administrative county of Durham cost about £30,000 this year, and will he not amend the Act so as to make the maintenance of these people a national and not a local charge?