§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Minister of Labour why the privilege of a free railway warrant has been taken away from unemployed persons who have to go from the Saddleworth area to Oldham to attend the Court of Referees; and will he have the privilege restored?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThere has been no restriction in the issue of free railway warrants to unemployed persons in Saddleworth who are summoned to attend Courts of Referees at Oldham. There has, however, been a recent change applying to all parts of the country in respect of claimants for extended benefit summoned to appear before Rota Committees. In such cases a free warrant was formerly issued to such persons if resident five miles or more from the place of interview. The distance has now been extended to six miles, which is the distance at which a claimant is normally excused from signing the unemployment register. Uniformity is thus secured, and I do not think that any serious hardship arises from the extension.