§ 10. Mr. R. J. TAYLORasked the Minister of Labour what conditions govern the 532 payment of benefit to the dependants of a claimant in receipt of unemployment assistance benefit who has died before benefit is paid?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThe Unemployment Assistance Board inform me that arrangements have now been made under which, in cases where hardship to dependants would otherwise result, payment will be made to the representative of a deceased person of an amount corresponding to the period during which the deceased applicant was qualified for an allowance subsequent to the date on which the last payment was made.
§ 12. Mr. SHINWELLasked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated annual cost of the abolition of the household means test?
§ Mr. BROWNI would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 16th July last to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Dalton), in which I dealt fully with this matter.
§ Mr. SHINWELLDid the right hon. Gentleman give the estimated amount in that reply?
§ Mr. SHINWELLIf the sum required is not very large, ought it to stand in the way of the removal of the intense poverty in many thousands of homes?
§ Mr. BROWNPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will read the answer, and, if necessary, put down another question.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODSeeing that the right hon. Gentleman was in such close contact with the King, did not the King suggest that the means test should be done away with?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must not bring in the King's name.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn view of the Statutory Committee's report on the surplus, which is now, I understand, fairly large, will not the right hon. Gentleman recommend to the Committee that the surplus should be used for the abolition of the means test?
§ Mr. BROWNNo, the Statutory Committee have their own duty to examine the facts and to report to me accordingly.