§ 65. Mr. MONTAGUEasked the Minister of Labour the date on which the Transitional Payments Regulations and the National Economy (No. 2) Order were issued; and the number of persons receiving transitional payments who, as a result of the issue of these regulations and order, were during the first 12 months transferred to public assistance authorities and thus became subject to the Poor Law means test as provided for in these orders?
§ Lieut. - Colonel MUIRHEADThe Unemployment Insurance (National Economy) (No. 2) Order, 1931, and the Unemployment Insurance (Transitional Payments) Regulations, 1931, were made 1403 on 7th and 16th October, 1931, respectively. I would point out, however, that the hon. Member is in error in thinking that these persons were transferred to public assistance authorities. On the contrary they were dealt with, as previously, at the local offices of the Ministry of Labour, and it was specially provided in paragraph 3 of the regulations that they should not be required to attend at a Poor Law institution.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEDoes the Minister agree, then, that the unemployed were thrown upon the destitution test by the National Government?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADNot at all. The particular test to which these people were submitted is well known, and I have already given the date upon which the particular legislation concerned was introduced.
§ Mr. THORNEIs it not a fact that when these orders were issued the means test came into operation?