§ Mr. KENNEDYasked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the case stated on Thursday last against the changes proposed in the new unemployment regulations and the operation of the means test by the deputation representing the national hunger marchers; and whether any action is proposed by the Government on the lines of the changes suggested by the deputation?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADWhen my right hon. Friend met a deputation of Members of Parliament accompanied by 1935W marchers on Thursday last, he found that there was considerable misunderstanding as to the way in which the new Unemployment Assistance Regulations would work, and he offered to have inquiries made into the individual cases that had been referred to if details were sent to him through the Members. At the same time, he made it clear that the Government had no intention of proposing any change in the Regulations.
§ Mr. LUNNasked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware that certain officers of the Unemployment Assistance Board are writing on the forms of inquiry to employers of day girls, whose fathers are on transitional pay, asking them to assess for their information the value of any meals supplied to the girls; and will he say for what purpose this information is desired;
(2) under what regulation, if any, of the Unemployment Assistance Board the board's officers have acted in demanding from the employer of a domestic servant, whose father is unemployed, the value of any meals she receives in the home of her employer?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADThe only information in this connection which the board would require is whether or not meals are given. If in some cases inquiry was made as to the value of meals, this was not in accordance with the instructions and the board are taking steps to make this clear to their officers.