§ 1. Mr. HOPKINasked the Minister of Labour the total number of applicants to the Unemployment Assistance Board who have not received any money payment because they have found full-time employment before the decision of the statutory authorities in respect of their applications had been received by the officers of the Unemployment Assistance Board?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Mr. Ernest Brown)I regret that this information is not available.
§ 3. Mr. HOPKINasked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider issuing an instruction permitting a determination to be made by the Unemployment Assistance Board to an applicant who has found work but has not received an allowance for the period he was unemployed owing to delay in submitting his application to the area officer of the Board?
§ Mr. BROWNThe conditions under which a determination granting an allowance may be made are as laid down in the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1934, and I have no power to issue instructions purporting to modify these conditions.
§ Mr. HOPKINIs the Minister aware that, under these conditions as they are working now a great number of men suffer?
§ 6. Mr. E. DUNNasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in 614 miners' households where unemployment assistance is being received the amount of such assistance is being reduced in consequence of the increase in wages recently secured by the miners; whether this is being done on instructions from the board; and whether this policy of taking advantage of an increase in wages will be reconsidered?
§ Mr. BROWNI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Mansfield (Mr. C. Brown) on 20th February.
§ Mr. DUNNIs the Minister aware that the one shilling increase in wages which has been awarded to the miners is now being used, under the regulations, in order to relieve the Exchequer of part of the money which they ought to provide?
§ Mr. BROWNI have received representations on this matter from certain Members representing mining constituencies, and they are putting some points before me which I have promised to convey to the board?
§ Mr. SHINWELLWhat is the use of an increase in the miners' wages, if the household means of the miners are to be reduced in this way by the decision of the board?
§ Mr. BROWNThe hon. Member must know quite well, that the whole question arises on the determination of means.
§ Mr. H. G. WILLIAMSIs it the case that every miner who received increased wages is in a house where unemployment assistance is being received?
§ Mr. GEORGE GRIFFITHSIs the Minister aware that, already, many parents have told their sons that they can leave home because of the deductions from the unemployment assistance grants, and that many have left home since they have had this increase in wages?