§ 58. Mr. Bevanasked the Minister of Labour the number of applicants for unemployment allowance whose allowance is affected by the income of other members of the family; and the total sum of money saved thereby in the last available year?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAs regards the first part of the question, I regret that information is not available in the form desired by the hon. Member. Of 570,000 persons in receipt of allowances in December last, it is estimated that in about 28 per cent. of cases the applicant or members of his household possessed resources which were partly taken into account in the assessment of the allowance. This does not include applicants whose allowances were adjusted solely by reason of casual earnings at the time of payment, nor does it include applicants who, on the basis of household resources available, were adjudged not to be in need. As regards the second part of the question, this information is not available.
§ Mr. BevanDoes not the hon. Member realise that the first part of this question raises the same point with regard to unemployment assistance as the previous one about agricultural benefit, and will he obtain information under that head; and, with regard to the second part of the question, is it not possible to have that information so as to enable us to discuss the Budget intelligently?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI will bear in mind the argument of the hon. Member, but this raises a different point from that raised by the previous question, and a great deal more research would be necessary than would be needed in the other case.
§ 59. Mr. Bevanasked the Minister of Labour the number of applicants for unemployment assistance whose allowance is affected by the wages they received when last in employment?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI assume that the hon. Member refers to adjustments of allowances made under paragraph IV 1 (2) (a) of the Board's regulations. It is estimated that in December last such adjustments numbered approximately 6,500.