HC Deb 09 March 1932 vol 262 cc1801-3
70. Mr. LEES-JONES

asked the Minister of Labour which county and county borough authorities are taking disability pensions into account when assessing transitional benefit; the number insisting on the realisation of investments; and the number taking into account the income on such investments?

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

No such statistics are available. It is the duty of the public assistance authorities to take all such resources into account, but to do so with due regard to all the circumstances of the individual applicant.

Mr. LEES-JONES

If I give my hon. Friend a short list of county boroughs and county authorities, will he make inquiries as to whether they are or are not taking disability pensions into account in assessing transitional payments?

Mr. HUDSON

I shall always be very glad to receive any information from my hon. Friend.

Mr. LEES-JONES

I am asking if my hon. Friend will make inquiries for me from certain towns of which I will give him the names.

Mr. HUDSON

I should like to see the information that my hon. Friend has, first.

71. Sir STAFFORD CRIPPS

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the resolutions passed and sent to him by the public assistance authorities of Bristol and other cities urging the Government that ex-service men's pensions for disability should not be taken into account when the regulations concerning transitional benefit are being operated; and whether, in view of the opinion in this House and throughout the country on this subject, he is prepared to introduce legislation to deal with this point immediately?

Mr. HUDSON

My right hon. Friend has received resolutions on this subject from Bristol and some ether authorities. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend in the Debate on 17th February.

Sir S. CRIPPS

In view of the time that is now available on Friday afternoons, would not the hon. Member ask his right hon. Friend the Leader of the House to give time for a short Bill to be passed through all its stages in order to deal with this particular point?

Mr. HUDSON

If my hon. and learned Friend will look at the statement in column 1724 of the OFFICIAL REPORT, he will see the reasons why that course has not been taken by my right hon. Friend.

Sir S. CRIPPS

In view of the fresh representations that have been made, will the hon. Member not alter his view with regard to the necessity for taking action?

Mr. HUDSON

No, Sir.

Mr. THORNE

Do I understand from the answer given that my hon. Friend, referring to the report of the Royal Commission, says they are waiting for that report, and is it not a fact that the report has already been published; and will he state what he is going to do in the matter?

Mr. HUDSON

The report, so far as I know, not only has not been published, but has not yet been received.