§ Mr. HAYDAYasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Letchworth local authority state that they have not yet been authorised to pay the full district rate of wages to skilled men employed in their own trades on relief schemes; and whether he will circularise all local authorities, instructing them that the full rate may be paid to skilled men employed in their own trades, and that this includes qualified navvies, a period of six months' work on similar schemes in the past being sufficient to qualify a man for the full rate?
§ Sir A. MONDI am not aware that the Letchworth local authority have made the statement referred to. The only limitation as to the rate of wages on schemes assisted by the Unemployed Grants Committee is in the case of unskilled men employed directly by local authorities during a probationary period. It has already been pointed out to local authorities in a circular issued by the Unemployed Grant Committee on 23rd November last that the reduced rate of wages does not apply to skilled men, including "tradesmen" employed in their trade, and properly qualified navvies.