HC Deb 31 May 1934 vol 290 cc330-3
3. Mr. DAGGAR

asked the Minister of Labour whether, after inquiries, he is now in a position to state if Mr. John Evans, an unemployed mechanic, Mr. John Evans, an unemployed miner, and Mrs. Pallis, the wife of an unemployed ship's riveter, three of whom recently broadcast speeches, had facilities at their disposal for getting supplementation from the Poor Law authorities?

Sir H. BETTERTON

It is within the power of any public assistance authority to supplement transitional payments or unemployment benefit in any particular case, if they consider that, having regard to the circumstances of that case, the amount of transitional payments or unemployment benefit is not sufficient to meet the needs. With regard to the particular cases referred to by the hon. Member, I have made inquiries, and I am informed that none of them had made application to the public assistance authorities for supplementation.

Mr. DAGGAR

Is the Minister not aware that, as in the case of the Birmingham man, no provision is made for supplementing transitional payments from the Insurance Fund unless the man can prove that there has been a case of sickness?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I do not accept that. What is quite certain in regard to Birmingham is that there is a right to go from the relief committee of the public assistance authority to what is known as the Special Cases Subcommittee, to which such cases that the hon. Gentleman has in mind can, of course, be taken.

Mr. LAWSON

Is the Minister aware that Mrs. Pallis, of Sunderland, found herself in very much the same position and that she has been badgered by some of the officers of his Department, or some other department, in a way that I am sure he would not desire; and may I further ask, in view of the fact that the public assistance committees are now embarrassed by the statement of the Parliamentary Secretary and are not quite sure whether they will be surcharged by the auditor, if he or the Minister of Health will send out a very definite statement and instruction on this matter, for the benefit of public assistance committees?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I should not have thought that there was any need for that. In regard to Sunderland, I am informed that there is a right of appeal to the committee if, in any particular case, it is thought that there is hardship.

Mr. LAWSON

May I press that point further and ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is not aware that there is very real embarrassment among members of public assistance committees now upon this question of giving relief in special cases in addition to the transitional payments; and will he take steps to clear the matter up for the benefit of the public assistance committees by issuing instructions?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I am at a loss to understand why there is any embarrassment. Supplementation has been given in a number of cases both in Birmingham and in Sunderland, and I am at a loss to understand why public assistance committees should be embarrassed to exercise a right which they have already exercised in a number of cases.

Mr. LAWSON

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why the Commissioner in Durham has challenged case after case—whole masses of them—and will not allow this?

Mr. DAVID GRENFELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether there is on record in this House or outside any instruction addressed to public assistance committees informing them that they can give these additional allowances, and, if not, why has all this unnecessary hardship been permitted for the want of instruction?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I will look into it and see if any instruction is desirable or necessary, but, as at present advised, I am at a loss to understand why it is necessary at all. As I have already said, the right of appeal has been exercised all over the country, including Birmingham and Sunderland.

5. Mr. DICKIE

asked the Minister of Labour if he will inquire whether John Evans, a mechanic, of Perry Common, and others of the unemployed who have spoken from Broadcasting House, have received any allowance for rent; and, if not, will he impress on all the bodies concerned the importance of following the method of the Commissioner for transitional payments in the county of Durham, by whom this factor is invariably taken into account and an allowance made in conformity with the needs of the applicant?

Sir H. BETTERTON

The question whether any special allowance should be made for rent is a matter for the local authority concerned, with whose discretion I have no right to interfere.

Mr. DICKIE

In view of what has already been stated from the other side, would it not be advisable to issue some form of instruction to the public assisttance committees advising them and instructing them to familiarise themselves with the powers which they already possess?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I can only give the same answer that I gave to hon. Gentlemen opposite. I will consider this matter to see whether any instruction is desirable or necessary, but as at present advised I am at a loss to understand why the question has arisen.

Mr. LAWSON

rose——

Mr. SPEAKER

There cannot be any further discussion on this matter.