§ 34. Mr. MANDERasked the Minister of Labour if he will give particulars of the scales of transitional payments recently agreed between the Ministry of Labour and the Wolverhampton Borough Council?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)This scale, which is primarily one for public assistance, was adopted by the authority on their own responsibility.
§ Mr. MANDERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is great anxiety in Wolverhampton to know what this scale is, and is there any reason why it should not be stated, in view of the fact that the Government are a party to it?
§ Mr. HUDSONMy Department are not a party to it. The scale was adopted by the local authority on their own responsibility, and I have no doubt that if the hon. Member asks the authority they will provide him with a copy.
§ Mr. MANDERIs it not a fact that the scale was negotiated with the Ministry of Labour, and cannot the Ministry of Labour state the facts?
§ Mr. HUDSONNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MANDERIs it not a fact that it was negotiated with the Ministry of Labour?
§ Mr. CHARLES BROWNIs it not a fact that the Ministry of Labour brings pressure to bear upon the authorities to make these scales?
§ 35. Mr. MANDERasked the Minister of Labour whether he has given any instructions or guidance to public assistance committees as to how rent should be taken into account in each case, in calculating net income?
§ Mr. HUDSONThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. MANDERDoes not the hon. Gentleman think that this is a case where he could usefully circularise local authorities and public assistance committees, urging them to take into consideration varying rates of rent, as some of them do not, at the present time?
§ Mr. HUDSONI understand that in the case of the authority of the town which the hon. Member represents, that factor is taken into account.
§ Mr. MANDERIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that I was looking rather beyond the bounds of Wolverhampton?