§ 29. Mr. ALBERYasked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed to issue any explanatory pamphlets concerning the changes which took place as from the 1st July in unemployment benefit for the information of unemployed persons?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)Special posters have been exhibited in all Employment Exchanges giving the increased rates of benefit which came into force on 1st July. A leaflet (U.I.L.18) describing the conditions for the receipt of unemployment benefit as amended by the new Act is given to every claimant, while fuller particulars of the changes introduced by the new Act are included in a leaflet (U.I.L.8) which can be obtained on request at any Employment Exchange.
§ hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following are the figures:
§ I am sending copies of these leaflets to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. ALBERYAre these leaflets in a sufficiently simple form for any ordinary working man to understand? If not, can something on those lines be done?
§ Mr. HUDSONI think that when the hon. Member has read the leaflets he will agree that the ordinary unemployed man can understand them.
§ Mr. MACLEANWill the hon. Gentleman kindly consider issuing these leaflets to Members of Parliament, who will be inundated by claimants who feel themselves aggrieved, and who will want to know what is contained in the leaflets?
§ Mr. HUDSONI will see if I can arrange for copies to be put in the Vote Office. I shall be glad to send them to any Member who writes to me.
§ Mr. BATEYDo these leaflets apply only to people receiving standard benefit, and do they state that men on standard benefit receive only 16s. instead of 17s.?
§ Mr. HUDSONI assume that the persons in Durham who are on transitional payments are aware of the scales in force now.
§ Mr. HUDSONNo, Sir.