§ Mr. SWANasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the miners of Woodland colliery, County Durham, have not worked since 31st March, 1921, and the only assistance, apart from an occasional donation of the union and help from the guardians, has been the unemployment payment, which has been inadequate, as many have large families: that where the head of a house had a son or two they have been called before a committee, and in most cases the dole has been stopped, on the ground that they are not genuinely seeking work: that it is impossible for these men to get work; that in a family of nine, one son had his dole stopped on the grounds that £1 18s. was enough to keep the family; and will he see what help can be given to these people, since, otherwise, many will be compelled to go to the workhouse?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI presume that the benefit referred to is the six weeks' exten-1572W sion, and that the disallowance is in consequence of the condition that the extension is not to be granted to single men and women who are maintained wholly or mainly by their relatives. If my hon. Friend considers that the facts in the cases he has in mind do not justify disallowance on this ground, I shall be glad to look into them on receiving particulars.