§ 6. Mr. LAWSONasked the Minister of Labour if it is the policy of his Department that persons receiving transitional payment should be able to have their allowance supplemented by public assistance without such transitional payments being reduced accordingly?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe question whether in any case transitional payments require to be supplemented by public assistance is one for the competent authorities to decide, having regard to the needs of the household concerned.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the right hon. Gentelman aware that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour, alluding to the cases of two people who broadcast last Saturday or last weekend, stated that those people could have received supplementary allowances; is he also aware that both those people deny that statement, and in view of the situation, has he made, or is he making, investigation into the matter?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI was not present in the House when that statement was made, although, of course, I read it. I think that what the Parliamentary Secretary said described what actually takes place. There is no doubt that public assistance is given, in addition to transitional payments, if, in a particular case, the public assistance authorities decide that such supplementation is necessary or is required.
§ Mr. LAWSONBut is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these people to whom I refer had made all the efforts which they could make in that direction, or stated so at any rate; and that that statement was given a denial by the Parliamentary Secretary in the House; and, in view of the fact that this is a very important matter, because the British Broadcasting Corporation is involved, is 1914 the right hon. Gentleman making any inquiries upon these facts?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThere is some confusion here. I understand that from 3,000 to 4,000 people in Durham are, in fact, receiving this supplement.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the commissioner's own statement this morning proves the truth of what I say?