HC Deb 01 December 1936 vol 318 cc1026-8
66. Mr. MAINWARING

asked the Minister of Labour how many families throughout the country, and separately for the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth, will benefit from the creation of the new age group in the new Unemployment Assistance Regulations as compared with the old?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Mr. Ernest Brown)

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the number of families affected by the improved scale rates for persons between the ages of 16 and 21 living as members of households. I am informed that the number of households containing such persons is not known; but the number of persons in Great Britain who are between the two ages and will be affected is about 120,000. No corresponding estimate can be made for the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth.

67. Mr. MAINWARING

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated additional sum of money to be saved as a result of the means test being uniformly applied throughout the country, and particularly for the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth?

Mr. BROWN

Until the work of reassessment under the new Regulations has been completed, it will not be possible to attempt any closer estimate of the effect than that given in the White Paper presented with the Draft Regulations (Cmd. 5229).

68. Mr. MAINWARING

asked the Minister of Labour what will be the total number of single men that are likely to be reduced from a present allowance of 17s. per week to the 10s. per week provided for in the new Unemployment Assistance Regulations; and will he give the figures for the country as a whole, and separately for the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth?

Mr. BROWN

I regret that this information is not available.

The following Question, stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Mr. DAVIDSION:

70. To ask the Minister of Labour what steps have been taken by his Department to obtain the opinion of Scottish local councils of the effect on Scottish industry of the new Unemployment Assistance Board's Regulations?

Mr. DAVIDSON

I desire to raise a point of Order in regard to this question. When I put this question, I addressed it to the Secretary of State for Scotland, and I asked him what steps have been taken by his Department to obtain the opinion of Scottish local councils of the effect on Scottish industry of the new Unemployment Assistance Board's Regulations? I received a letter stating that he had arranged for the Minister of Labour to answer. I want to ask your guidance as to what steps I can take to prevent the Secretary of State for Scotland from avoiding his own responsibilities?

Mr. SPEAKER

This is a very old question. It has often been raised in the House. A question which is addressed to a Minister may be referred to another Minister, and it is not a matter in which I can interfere.

Mr. DAVIDSON

With all due respect, may I point out that this question was specifically addressed to the Secretary of State for Scotland with regard to his Department. He could answer "Yes" or "No," or say whether any deputations had been received or not. That is the point I am raising.

Mr. SPEAKER

Does the hon. Member wish to put his question to the Minister of Labour?

Mr. DAVIDSON

Yes, Sir.

Mr. BROWN

As the new Regulations only came into force as recently as 16th November, it would in my opinion be premature to invite opinions at the present time as to their effect whether industrial or otherwise.

Mr. DAVIDSON

With regard to those scales of relief, has the right hon. Gentleman's Department had under consideration the position of the Scottish Office with regard to the particular question of obtaining the viewpoint of Scottish local councils?

Mr. BROWN

I have already stated my view on this.

Mr. SHINWELL

Is it the business of the right hon. Gentleman's Department to obtain the opinion of Scottish local councils? Is it not rather the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Scotland?

Mr. BROWN

It has always been the case that where the Regulations are affected, I have to answer on the subject in this House.