HC Deb 17 November 1931 vol 259 cc661-2
40. Mr. BUCHANAN

asked the Minister of Labour if he will supply Members with the Regulations issued under both the Anomalies Act and the Unemployment Act, 1920, dealing with transitional benefit and any instruction dealing with the means test?

Sir H. BETTERTON

Copies of all Regulations may be obtained by hon. Members in the usual way from the Stationery Office. For the greater convenience of Members, however, I am arranging to have placed in the Vote Office a supply of the Anomalies Regulations and of the No. 2 Order in Council and the Regulations thereunder. A set of the instructions with regard to the needs test has been placed in the Library.

Mr. BUCHANAN

In view of the importance of these new regulations, about which we know nothing at all, cannot they be issued to Members?

Sir H. BETTERTON

My answer stated clearly that they can be obtained from the Stationery Office, but I will consider the point mentioned.

Mr. THORNE

Have any circulars already been sent out to the chairmen of public assistance committees—circulars of which Members of this House have no knowledge? Are there not 20 questions that have to be put to the individual who applies for transitional benefit?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I have said that copies of all regulations can be obtained at the Stationery Office.

Mr. THORNE

If I send the Minister a copy that I have myself seen, will he say whether it was issued by his Department?

Sir H. BETTERTON

Certainly.

Mr. LAWSON

Did the right hon. Gentleman say that he would place the instructions with regard to the needs test in the Library?

Sir H. BETTERTON

Yes.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Would it be possible for each Member of Parliament to get a copy of this questionnaire which is being submitted to the applicants in the courts?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I am not quite clear as to what the hon. Member is referring to, but, if he will put down a question to me, I will deal with it.

Mr. McENTEE

Is there any uniformity in the questionnaires that are being submitted in different parts of the country; and, if not, is there to be any uniformity in this respect?

Sir H. BETTERTON

That is a question which has already been raised in Debate. The question of uniformity and of the actions and procedure of public assistance committees is not really a question for me.