HC Deb 12 December 1935 vol 307 cc1081-2
13. Mr. LAWSON

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will publish the report of the Unemployment Assistance Board in order that Members may be fully informed as to the operation of the means test regulations?

Mr. E. BROWN

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to a question upon this subject by the hon. Member for Birkenhead, East (Mr. White) on 5th December.

Mr. LAWSON

Yes. But the answer referred to tells us nothing. Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to publish this report which is so necessary to a proper consideration of future regulations?

Mr. BROWN

If the hon. Gentleman studies the answer, he will see that it is quite definite. I propose to supply hon. Members with all relevant information with regard to the working of the present regulations.

Mr. LAWSON

Does that mean that the particular report on the investigation into the working of this business is to be published?

Mr. BROWN

It means precisely what it says.

Mr. DAVID GRENFELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House as to the extent of the departure from the standstill agreement and in how many cases have reductions in benefit taken place since the standstill agreement was put in operation?

Mr. BROWN

That is a special question on another subject.

Mr. LAWSON

Members of the House were all deceived as to the working of these regulations, and both Members and Ministers were very much surprised. Everyone is in the dark. Could not the right hon. Gentleman make the report accessible to all Members of the House?

Mr. BROWN

There will be a report by the Board, of course.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Will the Minister please answer the hon. Member's ques- tion? Will he make all the information available to the Members of the House—not merely this report, but every report he has received, in order that we may know exactly the working of the Act?

Mr. BROWN

I have nothing to add to my previous answer on that point.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Why not?