§ 52. Mr. TINKERasked the Minister of Labour if it is on his instructions that applicants for transitional payments who appear before the public assistance committees are not allowed by the committees to take a friend with them to help them with their case?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Henry Betterton)No, Sir. This is a matter within the discretion of local authorities.
§ Mr. TINKERIn view of the dissatisfaction which has been caused, will the Department review the matter and see whether it will be possible to allow friends to attend with applicants?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONAs I have said, it is a matter entirely for the local authorities. I am told that it is the practice that some local authorities allow such representatives and others do not. It is really a matter for them; I cannot interfere.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs it not the case that very often those who make use of the opportunity exclaim afterwards, "Save me from my friends"?
§ 53. Mr. HORNBYasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that owing to the action of courts of referees in disqualifying persons in the transitional 552 class from insurance benefit many persons have had to seek public assistance, and that this number is increasing, causing a burden on the rates of many cities and towns; and whether he is prepared to promote legislation making poverty arising from unemployment a national charge?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, Sir. I have no evidence that what my hon. Friend suggests is taking place. The courts of referees have to decide, in cases of doubt and subject to appeal to the umpire, whether an applicant is normally in an insured trade; this condition has remained unchanged since transitional benefit was first instituted in 1928.
§ Mr. HORNBYIs my right hon. Friend aware that in Liverpool 3,500 persons have had to seek public assistance, that this number is being rapidly augmented, and that the charge—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThose details can be sent to the Minister.