§ 8. Mr. LAWSONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many single unemployed men in Durham who have hitherto received full transitional allowance are now receiving an addition of 9d.; whether this is the maximum amount for single men; and why the 10 per cent. has not been restored to such men?
Mr. STANLEYI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey) on 9th July. The amounts set out in the basis of need laid down by the Commissioners are not hard and fast, but may be modified to meet the needs of any individual case, provided that the unemployment benefit rates are not exceeded.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, so far as one can learn from personal investigation and also from resolutions received, the practice referred to is going on, and that men below 50 years of age who are receiving the full amount of unemployment pay get 9d. instead of is. 9d., while men above 50 years of age get more generous consideration? Can he take steps to see that, as far as possible, the 10 per cent. is restored to the men, at least to the people who are receiving the maximum amount?
Mr. STANLEYAs I said in answer to a previous question, the general effect of the new scale is to add rather more than 10 per cent. to the cost of transitional payments.
§ Mr. LAWSONSeeing that the Commissioner in Durham is in a special position compared with other parts of the country, can the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that, as far as possible, those in receipt of the maximum amount will at least receive the benefit of the 10 per cent., which they are not getting at the present time?
Mr. STANLEYPerhaps the hon. Member will put a question down on that point. I cannot answer now with certainty, but I do not think that it is within my power to do what he suggests.
§ Mr. PIKEIs the Minister aware that the same circumstances do not exist at Rotherham, where there is also a Commissioner?
§ Captain Sir WILLIAM BRASSAre not certain local authorities, in effect, giving the 10 per cent., and would it not be possible to have some uniformity in this matter?
§ Mr. BATEYCan the right hon. Gentleman say why this distinction should be made and why single unemployed men get 16s. instead of 17s.?
Mr. STANLEYThe Commissioner, in the exercise of his discretion, has drawn up a scale, the general effect of which is to provide for more than the 10 per cent. increase.
§ Mr. LAWSONIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the first possible opportunity.
§ 4. Mr. DENVILLEasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the public assistance committee of the corporation of Newcastle-on-Tyne have declared it is illegal to pay 26s. per week transitional benefit under any circumstances; and will he take steps to ensure the same interpretation of the legal position in both the counties of Northumberland and Durham?
Mr. STANLEYI am not aware of such a declaration, and I have no grounds for believing that the authorities referred to are unaware of their legal powers and duties in respect of the administration of transitional payments.
§ Mr. DENVILLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that on one side of the river 26s. is paid and on the other side 24s., and will he state why the Newcastle Corporation say they are not legally entitled to do the same as is done on the other side of the river?
Mr. STANLEYIf my hon. Friend will refer to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson) on 5th July, he will see the legal position set out.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn view of the fact that within a short distance two people in exactly the same circumstances, and living in practically the same locality, are receiving different amounts, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that he should takes steps, while recognising the legal position, to influence the local authorities to see that both persons are treated alike?
Mr. BU CHANANHas the right hon. Gentleman not the power in these circumstances to call the two local authorities together and get them to see common sense in the matter?
Mr. STANLEYIt depends on the discretion of the local authorities, who are answerable for their actions to the ratepayers in their own districts.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs it not possible, in view of the wide dissatisfaction in the area for the Minister or one of his departmental officials to call a conference and get the two authorities to adopt common sense views?
§ Sir W. BRASSSurely the Minister is aware that the money comes from the Treasury and not from local funds?
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the Minister not aware that the cause of this is the statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and also by the Minister of Labour, which has led people in the country to believe that 10 per cent. would automatically accrue to them?