§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) in view of the prima facie evidence submitted to 91W him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, showing that some of the Ugandan Asians now resident in camps in Great Britain are taking advantage of Great Britain's hospitality within the field for which he has ministerial responsibility by refusing jobs, what action he proposes to take to change this situation;
(2) whether he is aware that a Ugandan Asian, now living in a resettlement camp, was offered employment at £1,100 per annum and refused it, stating that the salary was insufficient; and whether all persons in similar positions with wages and salaries of £1,100 per annum or less can refuse to work and be entitled to claim housing and other payments on a similar basis.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithIf the hon. Member will provide me with evidence of refusal, and of the specific case he mentions, I will make further inquiries. I can give an assurance now that a reference would be made to the statutory authorities in the normal way where any worker, regardless of origin, who is in receipt of unemployment benefit, supplementary allowance or claiming a credit of contributions, refuses a suitable offer of work.