HC Deb 24 June 1935 vol 303 c799
33. Miss WARD

asked the Minister of Labour under what statutory authority the Unemployment Assistance Board is acting in taking into consideration in the assessment of need Army Reserve pay due while W. D. Bell, of Willington Quay, Northumberland, is drawing standard benefit?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead)

Under the Unemployment Assistance Act the Board may grant an allowance only to a person who proves that he is in need, and the Regulations made under the Act require that for the purpose of determining need account must be taken of the available resources. The Board are advised that available resources are resources which are, in fact, available when the application for an allowance is considered, irrespective of the period over which they may have accrued.

Miss WARD

In view of the fact that Army Reservists are the only class of person whose income is assessed after it is due, when the new regulations are introduced will they take into consideration what appears to be an injustice to one section of the community?

Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEAD

I could not make any promise.

Mr. DICKIE

Do we understand that these deductions are legal in the case of standard benefit also?

Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEAD

This is properly an unemployment assistance case, not a benefit case.