§ 66. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Minister of Pensions the total number of men who have been refused treatment allowance for their wives and families on the grounds that they had not been in employment previous to treatment being sanctioned during the past 12 months?
Mr. ROBERTSThere is no record of the number of cases referred to, which I understand are comparatively few.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs not that a reason why the right hon. Genleman should see that the wives and families of unemployed men do not suffer because they happen to be unemployed?
Mr. ROBERTSI am ready to consider any representations which are made to me in the cases referred to by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that for 12 mouths he has been considering this matter? He has been asked to introduce the human touch, which is lacking here. Is he not going to take steps to see that the wife of an unemployed person is at least as well treated, and that his family is not punished because he is unemployed?
Mr. ROBERTSI can only repeat that I am quite willing to consider any representations that are made to me.
§ Mr. STEPHENWill the right hon. Gentleman deal with the general question?