22. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Minister of Labour whether he will favourably consider a modification of the Regulations governing the issue of uncovenanted benefit, whereby single men who have already contributed at a higher rate to the Insurance Fund on account of the payment of uncovenanted benefit, and who will have to contribute to the repayment of these benefits as soon as they obtain employment, may receive part, if not full, uncovenanted benefit whilst unemployed, notwithstanding the fact that some other income is going into the house where they reside?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Montague Barlow)As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Seaham on 11th April, I am examining very carefully the conditions relating to the grant of uncovenanted benefit so far as they are within my discretion, It, would not be possible, however, to vary the rate of benefit in particular cases as the rate is fixed by the Acts.
Mr. THOMSONWill the right hon. Gentleman, during the consideration which he is giving to the matter, have regard to the fact that if he declines to sanction the payment of this benefit to single persons it will mean an extra charge on the rates of local authorities which are already overburdened?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI may say quite frankly that considerations of that kind are present to my mind.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERWill not these single men have to contribute in the future to the fund from which you are borrowing; and are they not entitled to uncovenanted benefit?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThe question of uncovenanted benefit, as has been stated over and over again, is at the discretion of the Minister acting in the public interest, and it is his business to give 2030 such directions as he can within the ambit of the Regulation under the Act of Parliament.