HC Deb 23 June 1932 vol 267 cc1236-8
5. Mr. COCKS

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is on his instructions that applicants for transitional payments are having their benefits reduced under the means test without being given an opportunity of appearing before the public assistance committees or of seeing or hearing the whole of the evidence upon which the determinations are made?

Sir H. BETTERTON

The answer is in the negative. The arrangements made for considering applications for transitional payments are within the discretion of the local authority concerned. I have no reason to believe that authorities do not make suitable arrangements for dealing with representations by applicants who think that their needs have not been fully taken into account.

Mr. COCKS

Will the Minister of Labour inform the authorities of this? It is not generally known, and, to my knowledge, considerable inconvenience has been caused.

Sir H. BETTERTON

I am not sure that I understand the question of the hon. Member. The arrangements as to the manner of considering applications are within the discretion of the local authorities concerned, and I have no power to interfere with them.

Mr. McGOVERN

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether individuals who are summoned before the committee but who are not interviewed by the committee, have any redress?

Sir H. BETTERTON

That, again, is a matter over which I have no control. It is a matter for the local authority.

7. Mr. CHORLTON

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that public assistance officers in some cases have sent clerks to make inquiries in the district in which they reside with reference to the means test; and if he will take steps to stop this practice?

Sir H. BETTERTON

The selection of officers to make these investigations is a matter within the discretion of local authorities.

8. Mr. GEORGE HALL

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons who have lost benefit and all transitional payment since the beginning of November, 1931; and the total number of married women who have lost either unemployment benefit or transitional payment during the same period?

Sir H. BETTERTON

As the reply is somewhat long, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

Between 13th October, 1931, and 31st May, 1932, 475,489 claims were disallowed in Great Britain by courts of referees, and by insurance officers under the trade dispute provisions, including 162,026 claims by married women disallowed under the Anomalies Regulations, Class (d). The figures relate to claims, and the number of separate individuals concerned is not available. Between 12th November, 1931, and 7th May, 1932, the determinations given by public assistance committees in Great Britain on applications for transitional payments included 513,770 cases in which it was held that the needs of applicants did not justify payments being made. This figure includes renewals, and the number of separate individuals concerned is not available. Apart from those given above, separate statistics for married women are not available.