asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that unemployed persons in receipt of benefit under the Insurance Act in the village of Strathblane, Stirlingshire, are compelled to make a journey of nine miles once a week to the Unemployment Exchange at Kirkintilloch; what purpose is served by the infliction of this hardship upon the unemployed; and why payment of their benefits cannot be made at the local post office?

Applicants for unemployment benefit who reside more than four miles, but not more than six miles from the nearest local office of the Ministry of Labour, are required to attend that office once each week. I presume the cases referred to by the hon. Member come under this requirement. Arrangements for payment through the local post office could not be made without considerable additional expense, and I do not think the present arrangement is unreasonable.