HC Deb 30 June 1932 vol 267 cc1985-7
1. Mr. CHARLES BROWN

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the Mansfield Guardians Area Committee have refused to continue the determination of transitional payments to the unemployed; if he will state the reasons for this refusal; and what steps he has taken to deal with the situation?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Henry Betterton)

Yes, Sir. The Mansfield Guardians Committee of the Nottingham County Council ceased to carry out their statutory duties after illegal determinations given by them had been revised by the public assistance committee of the council. The public assistance committee have now appointed an emergency committee under powers-conferred on them by the Order in Council, to discharge the functions of the guardians committee in relation to transitional payments. No intervention on my part has been necessary.

Mr. COCKS

Why does the Minister say that these determinations are illegal, seeing that they are very sensible ones?

Sir H. BETTERTON

They are illegal, because they do not comply with the law.

4. Sir ADRIAN BAILLIE

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is with his knowledge and sanction that public assistance officers, in assessing claims for transitional benefit, take into consideration amounts paid by way of workmen's compensation to members of a family; and whether, in view of the fact that such a practice tends to defeat the objects of the Workmen's Compensation Acts, he will take steps to cause this practice to cease?

Sir H. BETTERTON

It is the duty of public assistance authorities to take into account all sources of income but at the same time to make due allowance in the exercise of their discretion for any special need arising from injury or disability.

Mr. THORNE

Am I to understand that where a public education authority gives free meals to children, the value of that must be taken into account?

Sir H. BETTERTON

That is not the question on the Order Paper. Perhaps the hon. Member will put it down. The question on the Order Paper deals with the work of the public assistance committees in regard to assessment for transitional payments of compensation for accidents.

Sir A. BAILLIE

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it is justifiable that workmen's compensation should be taken into account by the public assistance officer?

Sir H. BETTERTON

That is a question that has often been asked before. When it is said that this must be taken into account, it may well be that an amount may be put on one side, that is the debit side, and an equivalent amount in proper cases may be put on the other side, that is, the credit side.