§ Mr. MILLSasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that in the neighbourhood of Strood local authorities have been paying a rate of 1s. O½d. an hour on relief schemes, and that on a scheme under the Ministry of Transport the rate paid was 1s. 4½d. per hour, he can state upon what grounds it was decided that the offer of employ-ment by the Strood Rural District Council at 9d. per hour was based upon fair terms and conditions the refusal of which justified the stoppage of unemployment benefit to the men concerned?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs indicated in the answer given to my hon. Friend on Monday last, the rate in question, namely, 9d. per hour, is understood to be the rate ordinarily paid by the Strood Rural District Council to their employes for work of the same kind as that offered to the workmen in question.