HC Deb 16 April 1935 vol 300 cc1674-5
40. Mr. DENVILLE

asked the Minister of Labour how many authorities ignore a reservist's pay and how many take it into consideration when a man's needs are assessed by the Unemployment Assistance Board?

Mr. HUDSON

I am not clear to what authorities my hon. Friend refers. Perhaps he will communicate with me.

44. Mr. DENVILLE

asked the Minister of Health how many authorities ignore a reservist's pay when assessing a man's needs under the public assistance benefit?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare

My right hon. Friend has no information on this matter, but he would point out that there is no statutory authority for disregarding Army reserve pay in the assessment of relief by a public assistance authority.

Mr. DENVILLE

Why is it that the Parliamentary Secretary finds it so difficult to get the figures in answer to this question?

Mr. DICKIE

Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction in the country owing to the lack of uniformity, when this payment is taken into consideration in some districts and ignored in others, and could he say to which department we ought to appeal in order to have the matter rectified

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

I understand that this matter was not considered as one of the items which should be excluded when the whole question was reviewed last year on the Unemployment Bill?

Mr. BUCHANAN

But could not the hon. Gentleman give the information when the facts are that certain authorities are ignoring the payment? Hon. Members want to know the number of these authorities and who they are. Is it not possible for the Minister to supply that information in order that Members may know the facts?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

I do not think that that would be justified on the ground of expense. It is a local question.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that the question of the reservists' pay affects a fairly large section of the population, and, in view of its great public importance, will not the hon. Gentleman reconsider the matter and try to get the facts as desired?

Mr. DICKIE

Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell us under what authority it is that in some districts the allowance is deducted, sometimes for one week, sometimes for two weeks, and sometimes for even a longer time, and that in other cases it is ignored?

Mr. DENVILLE

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment to-night, or at the earliest possible moment.