11. Mr. JENKINSasked the Minister of Labour whether instructions have been issued by the Unemployment Assistance Board to the district officers, stating that in cases here the rate of transitional payments is higher than the rate provided by the unemployment assistance regulations a grant in respect of special needs is not to be sanctioned; and whether he will supply a copy of such instruction?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADI am informed by the board that no such instructions have been issued.
12. Mr. DAVID ADAMSasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the unemployment allowance of Mr. R. Race, of Craghead, County Durham, was stopped for the whole of the week in which his 65th birthday occurred, whereby he lost his unemployment allowance before his pension began; and whether he will take steps to remedy such anomalies?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADI am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that the facts are as stated. Steps have been taken, however to provide for cases of this kind in future.
§ 13. Mr. BATEYasked the Minister of Labour whether he can now state when the new regulations under the Unemployment Assistance Board will be brought before this House?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADI cannot add to the reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Salford, South (Mr. Stourton) on 4th February. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.
§ Mr. BATEYCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman assure us that the new regulations will be brought in before the end of the present Parliament?
§ 15. Mr. STOREYasked the Minister of Labour how long after a man who is in receipt of unemployment assistance becomes temporarily ill he is treated as ceasing to be able-bodied and ineligible for unemployment assistance?
§ Lieut. - Colonel MUIRHEADThe period varies from a week to 19 days, according to the incidence of the sickness or incapacity in relation to the pay week of the person concerned. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of an explanatory leaflet on the matter issued by the Unemployment Assistance Board.
§ Mr. STOREYIs the Minister aware that this rule throws men back on to public assistance, and does he not think that something should be done to relieve the local authorities in these areas?
§ Mr. LAWSONCannot the leaflet be placed at the disposal of hon. Members in the Library, as it deals with rather an important matter?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADIf the hon. Member desires that this should be done, I will make arrangements to have the leaflet put in the Library.