HC Deb 12 December 1935 vol 307 cc1082-5
16. Mr. ANDERSON

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons, male and female separately, were receiving unemployment insurance benefit and receiving transitional benefit, respectively, on 30th November last in the areas covered by the Whitehaven Borough Council, Ennerdale Rural District Council, and Milldom

The available statistics relate to Employment Exchange areas and not to local government areas. The following Table gives the desired figures for 25th November, 1935, for the Employment Exchanges which are situated in the areas in question:—
— Whitehaven Employment Exchange. Cleator Moor Employment Exchange. Millom Employment Exchange.
Insured persons with claims admitted for insurance benefit:—
Men, aged 18–64 … … … … 2,123 305 189
Boys, aged 16 and 17 … … … … 101 8 4
Women, aged 18–64 … … … … 135 75 22
Girls, aged 16 and 17 … … … … 14 13 3
Total … … … … … 2,373 401 218
Insured persons with applications authorised for unemployment allowances:—
Men, aged 18–64 … … … … 1,302 1,503 342
Women, aged 18–64 … … … … 28 10 —
Total … … … … … 1,330 1,513 342
24. Mr. GIBBINS

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will issue orders to discontinue the taking of the height and weight of the unemployed as a necessary qualification for benefit?

Mr. E. BROWN

There is no such qualification for benefit. Perhaps the hon. Member will let me know what cases he has in mind.

Mr. GIBBINS

Is the Minister aware that applicants to the public assistance committee have been asked very often to give their height and weight?

Mr. BROWN

I do not understand the question, but if the hon. Member will let me know what he has in mind, I will have the matter investigated.

25. Mr. LOGAN

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there are 57,336 cases of unemployed in Liverpool denied extra grant at Christmas and the New Year; and whether he has made, or will make, recommendations to the Unemployment Assistance Board to make grants equal to those given by the Liverpool assistance committee?

Rural District Council, in the county of Cumberland?

Mr. E. Brown

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

Mr. E. BROWN

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) last Monday, of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. LOGAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bow and Bromley did not contain the information for which I am asking, and that he said that it would receive consideration? Three or four days have since elapsed, and I should like to know what consideration has been given to the matter? May I have an answer to that question?

Mr. BROWN

The answer is combined with the previous question. As the hon. Member knows, it is a matter of two things. First of all local practice, and, secondly, a report as to whether in certain cases the allowances under the board exceed the rate of transitional payments.

Mr. LOGAN

In view of the ambiguity of the reply that has been given, may I have a definite statement as to whether it is the intention to do anything or nothing in regard to this case?

Mr. BROWN

The hon. Member must understand that the answer was quite clear.

Mr. LOGAN

I beg to give notice that owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity.

30. Mr. WOODS

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements he is making for the payment of the unemployed during Christmas week; and can he give an assurance that all the unemployed will receive their pay before Christmas day?

Mr. E. BROWN

The Employment Exchanges will be closed on Boxing Day, Thursday, 26th December, and open on Friday, 27th December. Payments ordinarily made on Thursday will in Christmas week be made on Tuesday, 24th December; payments ordinarily made on Friday will be made on Friday, 27th December.

Mr. WOODS

Can the Minister say what difficulties there are in the way of making the whole of the Christmas week payments before Christmas Day? Is he aware that the whole country would desire that no child of an unemployed person should spend a blank Christmas because there is no money before Christmas Day?

Mr. BROWN

The answer is that that has been the previous practice, and it has been approved. The hon. Member will understand that if payment were made on the Tuesday instead of the Friday, it would be a very long time from the Tuesday to the Friday week.

Mr. WOODS

While I appreciate the fact that it has been the practice in the past, is the Minister aware that when that practice has been adopted it has caused unhappiness and dissatisfaction in thousands of homes?

Mr. BROWN

That is not my information.