§ Mr. C. EDWARDSasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that five boys were asked to go from Bargoed to a colliery in the Midlands, the colliery having stopped at which they had been working; that the wages to be paid were 18s. 4d. per week, although they had been in receipt of 25s. per week, which was the legal minimum; that they refused to go because of this and their unemployment benefit was stopped; that the official form from the board of referees showed that 18s. 4d. was to be paid by the colliery company and that 7s. per week was to be paid from the Lord Mayor's Fund; and whether he will take steps to see that this fund is not used as a subsidy for wages?
§ Lord E. PERCYI understand that employment in the colliery at Highley, 2279W near Kidderminster, was offered to and accepted by a number of boys from the distressed mining areas, and that the rate of wages offered, though less than that obtaining in Bargoed, is the standard rate at Highley. Under arrangements agreed between the Trustees of the Lord Mayor's Fund and the Ministry of Labour, particulars of which are more fully set out in a printed memorandum (a copy of which I will send to the hon. Member), the difference between the rate of wages and the cost of maintenance away from home has been met by an additional payment which is being made partly by the employer and partly by the Lord Mayor's Fund.