HC Deb 17 November 1938 vol 341 cc1022-3
4. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of a growing custom among unemployment assistance boards in Scotland of making deductions from the allowances of unemployed workers who are living in rural areas on the ground that they can live more cheaply there than in the towns; under what authority this is done; and whether he will take steps to end this practice?

Mr. E. Brown

The Regulations expressly provide for adjustments to be made where applicants reside in localities which are predominantly rural in character. I am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that in administering this provision regard is had to the recommendations of local advisory committees and that there is no evidence of any increase in the number of cases in which adjustments are made.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware of the very great hardship arising from this, and that some people in rural areas are often under heavier costs for maintenance than people living in adjacent towns?

Mr. Brown

I am not aware of that. I have made inquiries and I find that in the Glasgow No. 2 District there are now only 55 cases in which rural adjustment is operative as compared with 75 cases 12 months ago; while in the Edinburgh District adjustments have been mitigated in 24 out of 57 cases, and in the Dumfries District in 13 cases out of 33 in the Stranraer area.

5. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, at the Highbury Unemployment Assistance Board office, applicants are frequently kept waiting for upwards of four hours on two successive days to receive food vouchers of small value; and whether, in view of the danger to health caused by standing for such long periods in a confined basement in bad air, he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to cutting down the waiting period and providing an airier and more commodious waiting-room with more seats?

Mr. Brown

I am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that, while there is no record of applicants having been kept waiting to the extent suggested by the question, it is known that congestion occurs at certain times. Steps are being taken as rapidly as possible to improve the position. These include the transfer of a substantial proportion of the applicants to a new office which is to be opened near Euston, and also an improvement in the seating arrangements.

19. Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the intention of the Unemployment Assistance Board to discontinue recognition of the winter herring-fishing season for the purposes of determining assistance claims?

Mr. Brown

If the hon. Member will communicate with me, letting me know more precisely what point he has in mind, I will make inquiry.