HC Deb 04 March 1935 vol 298 cc1576-8
50. Mr. RADFORD

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will direct that allowances under the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1934, which are payable to members of the Kindred Trades Federation in the home trade and export shipping industry, the headquarters of which trade union are in Manchester, shall be paid through the medium of their union?

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

Under Section 42 (1) of the Unemployment Assistance Act, allowances must be issued by officers of the Unemployment Assistance Board. I am informed, however, that the board have under consideration the question whether, consistently with this provision, it will be possibly to permit payments to be made through associations of workpeople, and in this connection the position of the Kindred. Trades' Federation will be borne in mind.

52. Mr. LOGAN

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the anomaly existing which allows public assistance committee cases to receive King's Jubilee grants and debars unemployed cases from receiving any; and whether he is prepared to bring in legislation to remedy this defect?

Mr. HUDSON

I presume the hon. Member is referring to cases under the Unemployment Assistance Board. I am informed by the board that they have this matter under consideration, and that they hope shortly to enable my right hon. Friend to make a statement on the subject.

Mr. LOGAN

Am I to understand from that reply that it is the intention with regard to public assistance cases that the unemployed will be placed on the same level?

Mr. HUDSON

No, Sir, I said that they had the matter under consideration.

Mr. LOGAN

I am anxious to know whether you are prepared at this stage to give the same concessions to the unemployed as all other bodies throughout the country are giving to other forms of labour?

Mr. HUDSON

I think that the hon. Member had better await the statement of my right hon. Friend about it.

53. Mr. HUTCHISON

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any approximate date upon which the Government proposes to lay before the House any new proposals with regard to need regulations; and whether the Government have decided whether it will be necessary to modify the Unemployment Act, 1934, or whether the new regulations can be evolved without such change?

Mr. HUDSON

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject.