§ 37. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Labour if he is now in a position to state what amount of weekly or other income coming into a house is sufficient to warrant insurance committees refusing benefit to single persons living with relatives, or wives living with husbands, or husbands living with wives, either of whom are at work?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI am afraid that I cannot add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member on 18th November on this subject.
§ Mr. LANSBURYHow long will it take the Minister to make up his mind on this perfectly simple question? Is the hon. Member aware that his chief promised to give me an answer very shortly? What does that exactly moan? Two years?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe hon. Member will realise that I cannot answer that in the absence of my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIt is not my fault that the right hon. Gentleman is not. present on the day when he should be present.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it the case that in certain parts of the country rates of income are already being laid down, and that young persons are being disallowed benefit?
§ Mr. BETTERTONIt is true that it is desirable that there should, as far as possible, be uniformity, but it is also true that it is necessary there should be some elasticity.
§ Mr. MACLEANCan the hon. Member quote any part of any unemployment legislation which lays down such a condition?