§ 1. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will cause a circular to be sent out to local authorities regarding relief to the unemployed, and advising the adoption of increased scales of relief for the winter months because of the greater cost of living during that period?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)No. Sir. The decision as to the amount of relief to be granted to each individual applicant is a matter for the local authority. In coming to that decision the authority must take into consideration all relevant circumstances. The authority's duty is to provide needful sustentation. If the relief granted is inadequate, the applicant has a right of appeal. If the relief granted is excessive, the local authority incurs the risk of surcharge. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to interfere with the local authority's function by indicating in advance the view they should take of any of the circumstances.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I raised this question with the Secretary of State for Scotland in July, when the weather was pleasant and quite the opposite from what it is to-day, and that the right hon. Gentleman then promised that he would look 176 into the matter and see what could be done? This is the answer that we get. What is the hon. Gentleman going to reply to that?
§ Mr. SKELTONMy answer is that we have looked into the circumstances, and that I am now giving the hon. Gentleman a full, and I hope a clear, statement of the situation.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThe Secretary of State at that time considered that there was just sufficient, when the weather was temperate; surely it is the very opposite when the weather is foul, and do they therefore not require more?
§ Mr. MAXTONCan the hon. Gentleman say if there have been any surcharges of local authorities in Scotland, during the last two years, for over generosity?
§ Mr. SKELTONI should not like to answer that question without notice.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat hardly arises out of the question on the Paper.