HC Deb 20 February 1935 vol 298 c348
52. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider amending the regulations, issued wader the Unemployment Acts, to provide that a married man separated from his wife and family, with an order of the court for their maintenance made against him, shall not be deprived of dependants' allowances?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

This matter is one of those which are at present under consideration.

Mr. DAVIES

Would the hon. Gentleman be good enough to make representations to his chief, as it is indeed anomalous that a court of law should decide that a man is responsible for his wife's maintenance, but that his Department, on the other hand, should regard a man as not responsible for her maintenance at all?

Mr. HUDSON

It is a question whether or not such an alteration in the regulations can be made within the terms of the Act.