§ 33. Dr. PHILLIPSasked the Minister of Labour if it is proposed that the new provisions as to a means test apply to all those now on transitional benefit, those on standard benefit who exhaust their present benefit period between now and January, 1931, and those on standard benefit who by January, 1932, will have exhausted 26 or more weeks of their period?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONAs stated in the White Paper Cmd. 3952, the needs test will apply to persons now drawing transitional benefit and to those coming on to transitional payments in future, including those who do so because they have reached the 26 weeks' limit of insurance benefit.
§ Dr. PHILLIPSIt is not quite clear how that answer applies to the last clause of the question on the Paper. May I ask definitely whether those are included who are referred to in that last clause, that is, those who are on standard benefit but who by January, 1932, will have exhausted 26 weeks or more of their benefit?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI confess I was unable to appreciate why that particular month was put in the question, but I would remind the hon. Lady that I made a statement on this point in the early hours of this morning, and, if she will be good enough to read what I said then, I think she will find it is quite clear to her.
§ 34. Mr. R. A. TAYLORasked the Minister of Labour what instructions or regulations have been issued to public assistance committees respecting the needs test for transitional payments to claimants who have already received 26 weeks' benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Acts?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo such instructions or regulations have yet been issued. Regulations are now under consideration and will be laid before Parliament in due course.
§ Mr. TAYLORIn framing the regulations will the right hon. Gentleman have regard to the position of thrifty individuals who may own a portion of the house in which they live or who have small savings and who, if the Poor Law test is applied, will have to become absolutely destitute before they can receive assistance?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONYes, we will bear that and all relevant points in mind; and, as I have said, the regulations will be laid before Parliament.
§ Mr. BECKETTWill the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to discuss these regulations while they are being drawn up with representatives of the organised unemployed?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, Sir, I could not give any such undertaking.