§ Mr. Joelasked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of cases in which Unemployment Assistance Board officials have granted allowances specifically to cover reasonable renewals of clothing; and, if he has not the figures for the country as a whole, whether he would take the operations of any six typical local areas?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am informed by the Board that during the six months ended 31st December last there were about 8,500 cases in which, owing to the exceptional circumstances, special payments were made to enable applicants to make immediate purchases of clothing. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that normal replacements of clothing are among the needs which the Board's ordinary allowances are intended to cover.