§ Mr. RAYNESasked the Minister of Health why permission has been refused the Derby Board of Guardians to provide work for unemployed able-bodied men, not in receipt of unemployment benefit, at standard trade union rates of pay for the hours worked, and why the Ministry insisted upon work being given to a contractor which the guardians desired to execute by direct labour; will he state definitely by what Government Regulation he refuses to allow the guardians to employ labour in this manner; and is it his intention to alter this Regulation?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe guardians originally contemplated that this work, which was part of an infirmary building scheme should be carried out by contract. My predecessor required its exclusion from the contract on the ground that it would provide facilities, otherwise said to be lacking, for test work. On representations by the guardians, I agreed to1258W its reinclusion in the contract, but not to their new proposal that they should employ upon the work, at wages, men in receipt of out-relief, since the statutory powers of guardians do not enable them to relieve men by employing them on work of this character for wages. I may add that the work in question is now providing employment, and that no further employment would have been provided if my hon. Friend's suggestion had been adopted.