§ 18. Mr. Burkeasked the Minister of Labour whether he has now completed the inquiry into the non-payment of benefit to young girls of Burnley who declined to accept employment 170 miles from home; and what payments have been made to these persons for the last five weeks?
§ Mr. E. BrownI have written to the hon. Member giving him the latest information available. If there is any further point that he desires to raise, perhaps he would be good enough to communicate with me further. I will ascertain and let him have, as soon as possible, the information requested in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. BurkeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this communication only reached me after a long delay? If "as soon as possible" on this occasion means another five weeks, does it mean that for another period of five weeks these girls are to be left to be kept by the local authority?
§ Mr. BrownThis matter is not quite so simple as that. As the hon. Member will be aware, there are now five cases outstanding which are sub judice, and in these circumstances I could not give the hon. Member the information.