§ Mr. SHORTasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the great hardship caused by refusing to pay benefit to single men living with their parents; and whether he will take the necessary steps to rectify this?
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§ Sir M. BARLOWThe restriction re-referred to applies only to un-covenanted benefit and is to the effect 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 reasonably look to their relatives for support, having regard to all the circumstances. I am not aware that hardship is caused, and, in fact, local employment committees are expressly directed not to refuse benefit in cases where such deprivation would inflict real hardship.