§ 36. Mr. R. A. TAYLORasked the Minister of Labour whether any fresh instructions or regulations have yet been issued to the Employment Exchanges in connection with the administration of unemployment insurance benefit under the National Economy Bill?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Henry Betterton)The only instructions of this nature that have so far been issued to the Employment Exchanges are those relating to the changes in rates of contributions and benefit made by the Unemployment Insurance (No. 1) Order, 1931.
§ Mr. TAYLORAre the regulations under the Economy Bill completed, and, if not, will they be issued during the Recess?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe intention is to issue them as soon as possible after the Order-in-Council has been made.
§ Mr. TAYLORWill it be in order for the regulations to be put into operation without the consent of the House?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONOh, yes.
§ Mr. TAYLORYou can do anything you like?
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERAre the regulations subject to the Rules Publication Act?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe right hon. Gentleman had better put that question down. I have no power to make them until the Order-in-Council is made.
§ 37. Mr. TAYLORasked the Minister of Labour whether in determining the reference of claims for transitional benefit, under the National Economy Bill, to the Poor Law authorities, the test will be whether or not 26 weeks' benefit has been paid in the individual benefit year?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONIf, as I assume, the hon. Member is referring only to the operation of the restriction on insurance benefit to 26 weeks in the benefit year, the answer to his question is in the affirmative. As he no doubt knows, a number of persons are at present on transitional benefit and others will come on 1086 to transitional payment in future on account of failure to satisfy the 30 contributions qualification, and not on account of the restriction above referred to.
§ Mr. TAYLORWill not this system of selecting the individual benefit year operate very unfairly?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, I do not think so. This matter has been discussed at some length; the policy of the Government is known, and I have nothing to add.
§ Mr. TAYLORWill the hon. Gentleman look into this point; it is very important because it will operate very unfairly against different classes of claimants?
§ Mr. STEPHENOn a point of Order. Is the hon. Gentleman who sits for one of the divisions of Dorset in order in making grunting noises?
§ Mr. COCKSCan the hon. Gentleman tell us what is the position of a miner who works habitually three days a week?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI do not think that that arises out of the answer. The question asked if the test will be whether or not 26 weeks' benefit has been paid in the individual benefit year, arid I have answered that. If the hon. Gentleman has any doubt on any particular point, and he cares to write to me, I will give him a reply.
§ Captain CROOKSHANK(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed that applicants for transitional payments will be interviewed by the Public Assistance Authorities in a Poor Law institution?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, Sir. Such interviews will not take place in a Poor Law institution. Exceptions to this rule will only be allowed with the express permission of the Minister.
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI have just said that they will not take place in Poor Law institutions.
§ Mr. R. A. TAYLORCan the hon. Gentleman assure us that these interviews will take place at the Employment 1087 Exchanges or premises which are not normally used by the Poor Law authorities?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONIt is the intention of the Ministry that these interviews shall not take place in Poor Law institutions. Exceptions will be allowed only with the express permission of the Ministry. I think that is an assurance which might very well be taken.
§ Mr. MARLEYIn cases where the ordinary examination takes place at a casual ward, can we be assured that these interviews will not take place there?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONOh, yes, I can certainly give the hon. Member that assurance.
§ Mr. TAYLORIs the Minister aware that many Poor Law authorities have had to take special premises to deal with unemployed persons seeking relief under the Poor Law? Do I understand that his answer applies only to Poor Law institutions; and will the men be sent to the same premises when they are not Poor Law institutions as ordinary applicants?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONAs regards the first point, if the hon. Member will put down that question, I will answer it. I have given the hon. Member an express assurance that interviews will not take place in a Poor Law institution without special permission from the Ministry.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONIs it intended that the public assistance committees shall sit at the Employment Exchanges?