§ Major Neven-Spenceasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that in isolated parts of the Highlands 1433W and Islands where applications for unemployment assistance are normally dealt with by post, which often involves a delay of several days, district officers of the Unemployment Assistance Board can be allowed to relieve cases of immediate need instead of having to refer them to the public assistance officer as at present?
§ Mr. E. BrownI understand that the procedure relating to the payment of allowances to meet the immediate need of applicants for unemployment assistance in isolated districts in Scotland and elsewhere has recently been under review by the Unemployment Assistance Board. As a result revised and improved arrangements will shortly be introduced. My hon. and gallant Friend will no doubt appreciate that some delay in the remote parts of the Highlands and Islands is in some cases unavoidable by reason of the unusual difficulties of communications. The Board will keep a careful watch on the working of the revised arrangements to see how far they have been successful in meeting the difficulties. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any cases he would wish to bring specially to my notice I shall be glad to have them.