§ 43. Mr. E. SMITHasked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the granting of an increased allowance to all applicants for benefit at Christmas time?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADThe rates of benefit are prescribed by the Unemployment Insurance Act, and my right hon. Friend has no power to vary them.
§ Mr. SMITHWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman consult the Minister of Health 551 and the officials of the Unemployment Assistance Board with a view to making a joint recommendation to prevent any differentiation in the treatment of applicants?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADThat is really a different question from the hon. Member's original question, and I think he will realise that I should receive notice of it.
§ 47. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Labour whether it is his intention to recommend the Unemployment Assistance Board to grant extra assistance to persons under their charge during the week ending 21st December so as to ensure that all persons, children, women, and men, may be able to share in a small way the joys of Christmas; and will he also recommend that in assessing need of new applicants or recipients of assistance during that week and the days before Christmas gifts of food, clothes, or small money presents shall not be taken into account?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADMy right hon. Friend has been in communication with the Board on this subject. The amount of the allowances payable by virtue of the Standstill Act has to be determined in the manner provided by that Act by reference to the practice of local authorities in administering transitional payments. As regards those cases in which the allowances determined under the Board's regulations exceed the amount that would have been payable by way of transitional payments, my right hon. Friend understands that it is not proposed to make any general increase. As regards the second part of the question, I am informed that casual Christmas gifts would not be taken into account in the assessment of allowances by the Board's officers.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWith regard to the answer to the first part of the question, do I understand that the Minister of Labour has not made any recommendation to the Unemployment Assistance Board with regard to an extra grant for Christmas in transitional payment cases, and that the matter is being left just as it is?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADMy right hon. Friend has made no specific recommendation.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWill he not do so, seeing that men and their families on statutory benefit who are receiving assistance from the public assistance committees will in all cases get an increase at Christmas time? Is it not only fair that these men, who are, I think, in a worse position, should have an extra grant for themselves and their families at Christmas, and that the Minister should make a recommendation to the Board accordingly?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADThe right hon. Gentleman will, of course, realise that it is ultimately a matter for the Board itself, but I can assure him that the point which he raises will be borne in mind. So far, as I have said, my right hon. Friend has made no specific recommendation.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWhile it is a question for the Board itself, surely the Minister has the power and the right to make a recommendation of this kind, which would be in accordance with the custom of every board of guardians or public assistance committee in the country?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADMy right hon. Friend will bear in mind the point that the right hon. Gentleman has raised.
§ Miss WILKINSONCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman's remark with regard to gifts not being taken into account also be held to apply to bits of Christmas work which would normally have to be counted in as helping to increase the family income?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADThe question of Christmas work is on a different footing. It will have to remain within the discretion of the Board.