3. Mr. W. Joseph Stewartasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the able-bodied unemployed in Durham, numbering 476, are costing the county £26,936 for the year 1939; and whether anything will be done by his Department to take these people over so as to make their maintenance a national and not a local charge?
§ Mr. E. BrownI have given this matter further consideration, but have nothing to add to the reply I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member on 26th April, 1938.
Mr. StewartIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that £26,000 is a serious matter to an area which is heavily burdened with rates, and can he not see his way to take these people over—they are able-bodied—and make their maintenance a national, and not a local charge?