HC Deb 01 December 1932 vol 272 cc958-60
4. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the majority of public assistance committees increase the allowance to recipients of outdoor relief for the two weeks which include Christmas Day and the 1st January; and if so, will he issue a circular to the same committees recommending them to deal generously with all applicants for transitional payments who ordinarily receive less than full benefits

Sir H. BETTERTON

Subject to the limits set by the Order-in-Council it is open to authorities to follow the same practice in transitional payments as in public assistance cases, and I have no reason to believe that they are not fully aware of their powers in this respect.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Will the right hon. Gentleman encourage the public assistance committees to follow the lead given by the Poor Law authorities for so many years?

Sir H. BETTERTON

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I cannot give direc- tions, but I have very little doubt the committees are fully alive to what their powers are in this matter.

12. Mr. LAWSON

asked the Minister of Labour the date on which the Durham County Public Assistance Committee held its last meeting in connection with the administration of transitional benefit; and on what date the commissioners actually took over the administration from that committee?

Sir H. BETTERTON

The public assistance committee decided not to take further part in the administration of transitional payments at a meeting on 12th September. The various relief committees have, however, continued to give determinations without interruption. The commissioners enter upon their duties to-day.

Mr. LAWSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the public assistance committee, as regards the administration of transitional payments, has been meeting up to recently and actually met on Monday of this week?

Sir H. BETTERTON

That is exactly what I have said—that the relief committees have not ceased but have continued to give determinations without interruption up to now. The commissioners enter upon their duties to-day.

Mr. LAWSON

Then the right hon. Gentleman agrees that the public assistance committee have acted up to this week?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I am not sure that I follow the hon. Gentleman's question. I would remind him again of what I have said. On 12th September, the public assistance committee decided to take no further part in the administration, but the various relief committees still continued to act—if I may say so, quite properly—until the commissioners had undertaken their duties.

Mr. LAWSON

There is no truth in the statement that the public assistance committee abdicated? Is it not the case that what they offered to do was to carry on, with their own interpretation of the law, until such time as the right hon. Gentleman appointed the commissioners?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I have no doubt they would have been prepared to carry on with their own interpretation of the law indefinitely, but it was just on that point that we had a difference of opinion.

Mr. THORNE

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to give the House one or two examples of the cases which caused him to send down commissioners to administer transitional payments?

Sir H. BETTERTON

Yes, Sir. I cannot do so in answer to a supplementary question, but I shall be quite ready to do so on an appropriate occasion.

13. Mr. MANDER

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider, in connection with intended legislation on unemployment insurance, the desirability of assuring that, in the event of the refusal of an application for transitional payments, the right of a personal hearing shall be granted to applicants?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I will note the hon. Member's suggestion.

Mr. MANDER

In view of the great, importance attached by applicants to the right of personal interview, cannot the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with public assistance committees in this direction even now, before legislation is passed?

Sir H. BETTERTON

What the hon. Member asks would involve legislation. I have no power, as he knows, to give directions in this matter at all.