HC Deb 25 October 1932 vol 269 cc814-5
75. Mr. THORNE

asked the Minister of Labour the salary and emoluments paid to the new commissioner of the Rotherham Public Assistance Committee?

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

The commissioner is being paid remuneration at the rate of £700 a year, together with a subsistence allowance within the usual scale, and necessary travelling expenses incurred in the performance of his duties.

Mr. THORNE

What is the usual subsistence allowance

Mr. HUDSON

I am not certain, but I will let the hon. Member know.

Mr. BATEY

Is there not a deputy-commissioner who can act when the commissioner is unwell?

Mr. HUDSON

I should like notice of that question.

76. Mr. THORNE

asked the Minister of Labour whether the new Commissioner of the Rotherham Public Assistance Com- mittee has made any change in the scale of relief to those seeking poor relief and applicants for transitional payments; if so, will he state what are the alterations; and if he has any control over the actions of the Commissioner?

Mr. HUDSON

I am informed that subject to the exercise of discretion in appropriate cases the Commissioner is applying the scale and rules drawn up recently by the Rotherham County Borough Council on this matter. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend in reply to supplementary questions arising out of his Private Notice Question on 18th October.

Mr. THORNE

If that is so, and if the present Commissioner is exercising the same scale as was exercised by the late public assistance committee, what was the object of sending the Commissioner down?

Mr. HUDSON

Because the borough council refused to apply their own scale.

77. Mr. TINKER

asked the Minister of Labour whether the figure of £8,000,000, which he gives as the saving through the operation of the needs test, is a clear saving or does it include the cost of administration; and will he give the approximate cost incurred in administration?

Mr. HUDSON

The figure of £8,000,000 referred to was an approximate estimate of the total reduction in the amount of transitional payments. It is exclusive of the cost of administration. The administrative grant payable to public assistance authorities for the present financial year up to date is about £400,000.