HC Deb 08 February 1932 vol 261 cc491-3
100. Mr. LUNN

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons, men and

Determinations* given by the Leeds Public Assistance Committee between 12th November, 1931and 23rd January, 1932, on applications for transitional payments:
— Allowed at normal benefit rates. Allowed at rates lower than normal benefit rates. Needs of applicants held not to justify payments. Total determinations.
Men … … 6,171 11,181 3,614 20,966
Womem … … 495 653 842 1,990
Total … … 6,666 11,834 4,456 22,956
* The figures include renewals and revisions of determinations and the number of separate individuals concerned is not available.
Statistics are not available showing the numbers in each of the classes mentioned in the table who are now unemployed.

102. Mr. THORNE

asked the Minister of Labour the number of cases recommended for benefit by public assistance committees which have been disallowed by courts of referees?

Mr. HUDSON

The public assistance committees do not recommend for benefit. Their function as regards transitional payments is to assess the amount to be paid provided that the applicant is otherwise qualified to receive it. Where applications are referred to a court of referees to decide whether the applicant is normally in insurable employment, they may be referred concurrently to the public assistance committee for assessment in order that there may be no delay in making payment if the application is allowed by the court; the hon. Member will see, therefore, that there may be a disallowance by the court after an assessment has been made by the public assistance committee, but no statistics of cases are available.

women, have had their claims for transitional (unemployment) benefit dealt with by the Leeds Public Assistance Committee up to the latest date; how many are still receiving full benefit; how many have been reduced; and in how many cases no benefit is now being paid?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Transitional benefit is no longer payable, and the figures relate to transitional payments.

Following is the statement:

Mr. BUCHANAN

Did not the hon. Gentleman stop the practice, which arose when the Minister gave a guarantee that, pending the decision of the public assistance committee, no stoppage of benefit would take place?

Mr. HUDSON

The hon. Member knows that the practice is that the insurance officer where there is any question of doubt., does not disallow, but does not allow the benefit pending a decision of the Court of Referees. This procedure, we feel, is in the main in the men's own interest in order that there may be no delay in the event of the Court of Referees' decision being in the applicant's favour.

Mr. BUCHANAN

If the Court of Referees disallow a case and the public assistance committee has not inquired into it, is there any stoppage of payment, and did not the Minister give a guarantee that there would be no stoppage of payment pending the Court of Referees disallowing a case and the public assistance committee coming to a decision?

Mr. HUDSON

if should like to see that question on the Paper.

103. Mr. THORNE

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women on transitional benefit in Warrington; the number disallowed; and if he can state the amount saved by such disallowance or the change over from ordinary unemployment benefit to transitional benefit?

Mr. HUDSON

The figures relate to transitional payments and not to transitional benefit, which is no longer payable. At 25th January, 1932, there were on the registers of the Warrington Employment Exchange 1,512 men and 85 women with applications authorised for transitional payments. Between 12th November and 25th January there were 855 men and 165 women in whose cases it had been determined by the public assistance committee that the needs of applicants did not justify payments. Figures of the saving are not available.