HC Deb 19 December 1935 vol 307 cc1923-4
20. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the representations from the Bolton and District Local Employment Committee suggesting that, in order to remove what is regarded as a stigma by the applicants, the administration of the Unemployment Assistance Board be merged into the Employment Exchange Department; and, if so, what reply has been returned?

Mr. E. BROWN

This question was raised at a meeting of the Bolton and District Local Employment Committee on 12th December. The committee were then informed that since the machinery for the administration of unemployment assistance is prescribed by Statute it is not possible to adopt their suggestion.

Mr. DAVIES

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the men who are drawing benefit from the Unemployment Assistance Board regard it as a stigma upon them to be drawing benefit from this board as they would not be doing if they were drawing statutory unemployment benefit?

Mr. BROWN

My hon. Friend will understand that this arises under the law which puts the able-bodied unemployed under the care of a special national board.

27. Mr. LAWSON

asked the Minister of Labour the total amount paid in unemployment assistance under the Order in Council and the present Unemployment Assistance Board from 1931 up to the most recent date?

Mr. E. BROWN

The total expenditure (excluding the cost of administration) out of the Unemployment Fund to 30th November, 1935, on transitional payments under the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance (National Economy) (No. 2) Order, 1931, and on unemployment allowances is approximately £185,000,000.

28. Mr. W. JOSEPH STEWART

asked the Minister of Labour the number of people receiving unemployment assistance in the county of Durham for each year since the operation of the needs test; and the total amount paid in each year?

Mr. E. BROWN

I am having the available particulars extracted, and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

Mr. EDE

Will the figures show separately the numbers in the administrative county boroughs in the county of Durham?

Mr. BROWN

That is not asked in the question, but I will see whether it can be done.

30. Mr. LAWSON

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed receiving allowances under the Unemployment Assistance Board; and what number of these are new cases since the operation of the standstill arrangement?

Mr. E. BROWN

On 25th November last, 697,766 persons had current applications for unemployment assistance authorised for payment. No record has been kept as to the proportion of these which are new cases since February last.