HC Deb 25 April 1940 vol 360 c339
1. Sir Murdoch MacDonald

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider amending legislation which would give him the power to compel suitable male recipients of benefit for a period of more than four months to work, as a pre-requisite to drawing further benefit, an allotment if the local authority can provide the ground for them within two miles of their homes?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)

I do not think that such a provision would be in conformity with the principles of the Unemployment Insurance Scheme. Applicants cannot remain in benefit if they refuse any offer of suitable employment.