§ 27. Mr. Silvermanasked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the request of the Briarfield Urban District Council that unemployment benefit for unemployed persons in their area should be paid out locally instead of at Nelson; and whether he is prepared to accede to this request?
§ Mr. E. BrownI have been in correspondence with the hon. and gallant Member for Clitheroe (Sir W. Brass), who raised the matter on the council's behalf. I regret that I could not feel justified in providing separate Exchange facilities at Briarfield, which is 1¼ miles from Nelson.
§ Mr. SilvermanWill the right hon. Member bear in mind that it is not an Employment Exchange they are asking for, but an office where the benefit can be paid out, the expenses of which office the urban district council are prepared to pay? In these circumstances, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the balance of convenience would be to allow the urban council to have its way?
§ Mr. BrownIn the early days this question was discussed, and it was agreed that the State should provide the whole thing, including the offices.