HC Deb 02 May 1935 vol 301 cc522-4
8 and 10. Mr. GRAHAM WHITE

asked the Minister of Labour (1) how many applicants for unemployment allowances are receiving less and how many more than they received under transitional payment assessments; and

(2) the number of cases in which applicants for unemployment allowances are receiving payments based on the scales of the Unemployment Assistance Board and on the public assistance scales, respectively?

Mr. STANLEY

Precise figures are not available, but for the last period for which comparisons have been made it is estimated that about one-third of the recipients of unemployment assistance were receiving under the Unemployment Assistance Regulations more than they would have received by way of transitional payments; the remainder were receiving the same amount as transitional payments either under those Regulations or under the terms of the Unemployment Assistance (Temporary Provisions) Act.

Mr. LAWSON

Is the hon. Gentleman informing the House that none of the unemployed are receiving less than they received before?

Mr. STANLEY

I have been asked what is the position under the standstill agreement, and the answer is that one-third who are under the Regulations are receiving more, and the remainder are not receiving more either under the Regulations or under the Act.

Mr. LAWSON

I gathered that the question asked was how many applicants for unemployment assistance allowance are receiving this and how many more than they received under transitional payments.

9. Mr. WHITE

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made in setting up local advisory committees to the Unemployment Assistance Board, as provided in the Unemployment Act, 1934?

Mr. STANLEY

I am informed that the board is giving this matter active attention and has made considerable progress in preparatory work incidental to the setting up of these committees.

12. Miss WARD

asked the Minister of Labour whether the regulations from the Unemployment Assistance Board have been received?

Mr. STANLEY

No, Sir.

Miss WARD

Can the Minister give an assurance that the regulations will be brought into the House for discussion before a general election takes place?

Mr. STANLEY

If the hon. Lady will inform me when the general election is to take place, I may be able to give her an answer.

Viscountess ASTOR

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the regulations will be brought in soon, and before the autumn elections?

Miss WARD

Is the Minister aware that the rumour is current that the Government will not introduce the regulations until after the election has taken place? It is to allay those rumours that I am asking the question.

Mr. STANLEY

I do not take very much notice of rumours.

45. Mr. MANDER

asked the Prime Minister how much time will be allowed to Members of the House of Commons to study the new regulations of the Unemployment Assistance Board before they are discussed in the House; and when these are likely to be made known?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)

The board have not yet submitted a draft of new regulations and, while I understand they have made considerable progress with this matter, I am not yet in a position to say when they will be able to submit a draft. Every endeavour will be made to allow Members of the House full opportunity for considering any draft regulations that may be made after they are laid before Parliament and before a day is fixed for their discussion.

Mr. MANDER

Will sufficient time be allowed on this occasion for hon. Members to see how they will work out in their own constituencies?