§ Mr. SHORTasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that relief work is being found for the unemployed by the West Bromwich Board of Guardians on the Barr estate; that the employment is for three full days in a fortnight; that they receive in payment 21s. 4d. for the three day's work, and are refused relief by the guardians for the remaining 11 days; and will he have the matter investigated?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am in communication with the guardians on the subject of this question and will let the hon. Member know the result of my inquiries.
§ Mr. SHORTasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the West Bromwich Board of Guardians are providing relief work on the Great Barr estate for the unemployed; and whether, seeing that the men, being employed for three days in a fortnight, are held to be not entitled to unemployment benefit for the remaining 11 days or any portion thereof, he will inquire into this case with a view to rendering these men entitled to benefit?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI understand that, in general, these men have received benefit for their periods of unemployment. It is possible that some of them may be disqualified for special reasons or may be temporarily suspended from benefit during the gap, but without particulars of specific cases I am unable to say definitely why, in any instance, benefit may have been withheld. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars I will have inquiry made.