§ 5. Mr. James Griffithsasked the Minister of Labour the total amount saved to the State by the operation of the household means test since the existing regulations of the Unemployment Assistance Board became operative; what is the amount of money expended in the same period in salaries and expenses of investigating officers and others in the operations of the means test; and whether he will take the necessary steps to abolish the means test, and so save that expense?
§ Mr. E. BrownAs regards the first part see of the question, I would point out that and the effect of the existing Regulations has been to add to the rate of expenditure on unemployment assistance. For a variety of reasons it is not practicable to make any reliable estimate of the additional public expenditure that would be incurred by the complete abolition of the means test. I dealt with this matter very fully in my reply to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Dalton) on 16th July last, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy. As regards the second part, the administrative cost incurred directly by the board between 16th November, 1936, and 31st March, 1937, was approximately £675,000. The answer to the third part is in the negative.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsI gather from the reply that since that date there has been an increase and therefore no saving at all in the operation of the means test?
§ Mr. E. BrownThat conclusion ought not to be drawn from the statement I have made.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIf that conclusion is not to be drawn how can the amount of allowance be greater than it was before? Is it not apparent that the operation of the means test has meant a decrease in the allowance?
§ Mr. E. BrownIf the hon. Member will refer to the answer to which I have called his attention he will find that other factors are taken into consideration.