HC Deb 26 November 1931 vol 260 cc477-9
3. Mr. PEARSON

asked the Minister of Labour if he will grant to applicants for transitional benefit, who are required to attend before a public assistance authority, permission to have the assistance of a representative, a privilege now accorded to unemployed persons appearing before a court of referees?

Sir H. BETTERTON

This is a matter for the public assistance authority to decide.

9 and 71. Mr. TINKER

asked (1) the Minister of Labour the names of the local authorities or public assistance committees from whom protests have been received against having the duty laid upon them of administering transitional payments;

(2) the Minister of Health the names of the local authorities and public assistance committees who have protested to him against having the duty placed upon them of administering transitional payments?

Sir H. BETTERTON

The only protests received either by my right hon. Friend or by myself are one from a county borough council and two from public assistance committees. I am happy to say that these and all other authorities are now co-operating in the administration of the transitional payments scheme.

13. Captain ELLISTON

asked the Minister of Labour whether it has been brought to his notice that unemployed workers resent the hearing of transitional payment claims at offices associated with Poor Law relief; and whether arrangements can be made for public assistance committees to investigate such cases at some other premises, such as Labour Exchanges or municipal buildings?

28. Mr. BUCHANAN

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that applicants for unemployment benefit who are being examined personally as coming under the means test are being inter- viewed at the offices of the public assistance committee in the town of Denny, Stirlingshire; and if he will take steps to end this practice?

Sir H. BETTERTON

The place of interview is in general a matter for the discretion of the public assistance authority. It is, however, laid down in the Regulations that an applicant shall not be required to attend at a Poor Law institution unless with my express approval. I have only given my approval in exceptional cases and arrangements are made, wherever practicable, for the use of other premises.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question? I want to know why persons coming under the means test are being interviewed at the offices of public assistance committees in Denny when other places are available?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I do not think that is the case, but I will look into the matter.

Mr. LAWSON

Is it not laid down in the instructions to managers of the Employment Exchanges that transitional benefit should be dissociated as far as possible from the Poor Law, and how comes it that the right hon. Gentleman has given his consent to the hearing of some of these cases in Poor Law institutions?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I think I had better send the hon. Member—perhaps he would like to have it circulated—the circumstances under which I am prepared to give my consent. Those cases are very few, and it is only in exceptional circumstances that consent is given.

Mr. LAWSON

It is rather important to dissociate these transitional benefit cases from the Poor Law. Will the right hon. Gentleman bear that in mind in giving his consent?

Sir H. BETTERTON

It has been our aim, as the hon. Member knows, as far as possible to achieve the object which he and I have in view, and that is to dissociate these cases from the Poor Law.

14. Captain ERSKINE-BOLST

asked the Minister of Labour the number of married women in Blackpool who, as a result of the new transitional arrangements, have been deprived of unemployment benefit?

24. Mr. PRICE

asked the Minister of Labour how many cases at the South Kirkby Exchange have been considered under the Unemployment Insurance (Transitional Payments) Regulations, 1931; and what numbers of men, women, youths, and girls have been put off benefit?

26. Sir WILLIAM JENKINS

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in receipt of transitional benefit in the county of Glamorgan whose cases have been considered under the Unemployment Insurance (Transitional Payments) Regulations, 1931, and the number of cases in which part benefit has been continued and full benefit continued; and the number of persons, men, women, youths, and girls, whose benefit has been stopped?

27. Mr. BATEY

asked the Minister of Labour the number of transitional-benefit men who have had their cases reviewed by the public assistance committees in the county of Durham; and the total amount of money reduced?

Sir H. BETTERTON

These questions ask for statistics relating to applications for transitional payments. The answer to all of them is that such statistics are not yet available, but I will circulate the information as soon as I have it. I should add that separate figures will not be available in respect of married women.

15. Mr. BOULTON

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that applicants for unemployed benefit who have to undergo the means test have in some cases been asked whether they have been convicted of any offence; and whether this inquiry forms part of the regular procedure of the means test and is by order of his Department?

Sir H. BETTERTON

No such inquiry has been made by my instructions. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with further particulars, I shall be happy to consider them.