§ Mr. SWANasked the Minister of Labour whether any uniform Regulations are given to the local employment committees for their guidance in determining when single persons make applications for the uncovenanted benefit; and whether decisions are decided off a scale per head per week, going into various houses on a par with Poor Law relieving officers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe direction issued to local employment committees is that uncovenanted benefit should not be paid to single persons residing with their relatives, unless such persons, when in employment, support themselves, and, when not in employment, cannot reason- 1695W ably look to their relatives for support, having regard to all the circumstances. In view of the varying conditions in different districts, no definite scale has been laid down; each case is considered by the local Employment Committee with regard to the individual circumstances. Perhaps I may quote the concluding sentences of the directions issued:
What the Minister wishes the committees to do is to examine carefully the merits of each case in the light of the conditions laid down. These conditions are not designed to rule out benefit in cases where such deprivation would inflict real hardship. They are intended, however, to prevent the improper dissipation of a fund which is limited, which is built up mainly by heavy contributions from employers and employed, and which is urgently needed to meet the case of those for whom it is properly designed.