HC Deb 20 December 1937 vol 330 cc1601-3
48. Mr. Stephen

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that area officers of the Unemployment Assistance Board do not regard the circular on winter allowances as constituting a change of circumstances in the case of applicants for increased allowances owing to the increasing cost of living, and refuse to consider claims for an increase unless there are other new circumstances calling for a review of the applicant's allowance; and whether he will take steps to have all cases reviewed in the light of the winter allowances circular?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Butler)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. Griffiths) on 18th November. I should add that all current cases have now been reviewed at least once since the issue of the instruction, and that a further review is now in progress.

Mr. Stephen

Is the hon. Member aware that I sent him a case from Aberdeen where there has been no review for a year, and that when the applicant made his application he was told that it could not be reviewed until new circumstances arose?

Mr. Butler

I am told that a second review is in progress, but I will look into the matter.

Mr. Buchanan

Is the hon. Member aware that the circular to which he has referred has not been applied to single men except in exceptional cases in Glasgow, and will he, therefore, make representations to the Glasgow officials to apply this circular to all single men?

Mr. Butler

That is a question of bringing the matter to the attention of the Unemployment Assistance Board.

Miss Wilkinson

May I ask how the hon. Member reconciles the fact that far from there being increases to meet the increased cost of living, there are reductions under the circular of 1st January still being put into operation?

Mr. Butler

That raises a completely different question. This is a circular which deals with special allowances to meet the cost of living.

Miss Wilkinson

How can the hon. Member say that it raises a completely different question when the one circular tells of an increase, and the other circular of a decrease?

Mr. Butler

There were increases in the first circular as well as decreases.

50. Mr. Stephen

asked the Minister of Labour the number of applications made for additional assistance and the number of applications granted since instructions were issued to the district officers of the Unemployment Assistance Board instructing them to take into consideration the increase in the cost of living and the greater need of the winter months at Southbank Street and Boden Street offices, Glasgow, respectively?

Mr. Butler

The numbers of additions made to assessments on account of the special circumstances dealt with in the Unemployment Assistance Board's circular during the four weeks ended 30th November in the offices of the Board in Boden Street and Southbank Street. Glasgow, were 3,603 and 1,314 respectively. These figures exclude cases in which the assessment already contained an equal or greater addition under standstill arrangements.

52. Mr. R. Gibson

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of applicants who have received an increase of their allowances from the Greenock Unemployment Assistance Board on account of the increased cost of living; the number of applicants on standard benefit who have received such increases; and the total amount of such increases at Greenock up to the end of November, 1937?

Mr. Butler

The number of additions made to assessments on account of the special circumstances dealt with in the Unemployment Assistance Board's circular during the four weeks ended 30th November in the Board's administrative area of Greenock was 1,237. The average rate of increase was approximately 2s. 2d. a week. The figures exclude cases in which assessment already contained an equal or greater addition under standstill arrangements. As regards the second part of the question, I regret that statistics are not available.

53. Captain Ramsay

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that large numbers of persons residing in Newtown-grange and Gorebridge and the district are compelled to go weekly into Dalkeith in order to draw unemployment assistance; and, in view of the fact that the cost to each of these persons represents between 8d. and 1s. omnibus fare, will he make arrangements for an official of the Unemployment Assistance Board to come out to one of these towns and make the payments in one of the local halls?

Mr. Butler

Inquiry is being made. I will communicate in due course with my hon. and gallant Friend.

Captain Ramsay

Can the hon. Member give me any idea when he will be able to get the information?

Mr. Butler

As soon as possible.