§ 11. Mr. WHITELEYasked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to give consideration to the abolition or revision of the savings and earnings sections of the Regulations which impose heavy penalties in the homes where the means test is in operation?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADThe further amendment of the Regulations so recently considered and approved by the House is not in contemplation.
§ Mr. WHITELEYSurely the Government must have in mind the operation of some of these items in the Regulations in the cases which have been brought before their attention recently?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADI have nothing to add to my answer.
§ 25. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that at Blantyre, Lanarkshire, the proceeds of a funeral expenses policy have been taken into consideration in assessing family income by the officers of the Unemployment Assistance Board; that the claimants have only been allowed to meet the funeral undertaker's account from the policy, nothing being allowed for mourning or other expenses, and that public assistance benefits have been reduced in consequence of the family having received an insurance claim; and whether, as the Income Tax-paying classes are given relief in taxation on their insurance premiums, he will see that this practice of assessing small insurance policies as family income is discontinued?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADI am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that although they are aware that reports to this effect have appeared in the Press, they can trace no such occurrence at Blantyre so far as an applicant for unemployment assistance is concerned. I shall be glad if the right hon. Member will give me the particulars on which his question was based.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWill the Parliamentary Secretary point out to the officers of the Unemployment Assistance 1893 Board that these are capital payments and they have no right to take them into account?