HC Deb 10 February 1938 vol 331 cc1226-8
16. Miss Ward

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the application of the benefit rate of 26s. under the first proviso to Regulation IV reduces the value of the disregarding of 50 per cent. of workmen's compensation quite substantially in small awards, he will instruct district officers to exercise discretion and thus give applicants the full value of the concession?

Mr. E. Brown

The Board inform me that their officers already exercise their powers of discretion freely to meet special circumstances where they exist in these and other cases and the Board do not think in the light of the provisions of the regulations that they would have good grounds for giving further specific directions on the lines suggested.

Miss Ward

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that people who get a statutory concession on a figure basis are better off than those who get a concession on a percentage basis? As he is a very fair-minded man, will he agree to consider the position and put both parties on an equal basis?

Mr. Brown

I think discretion is generally used. If the hon. Member has any special case, perhaps she will bring it to my notice. A little difficulty arises because of the fall back given to a man and wife without resources.

Miss Ward

Of the two concessions I take it he will agree that a figure percentage is better than a percentage basis?

Mr. James Griffiths

Are we to take it that the Unemployment Assistance Board's officials or the tribunal have the right to disregard these concessions in computing the amount in exceptional cases, and, if so, will the officials of the Board act upon it?

Mr. Brown

I should like to see that question on the Order Paper.

20. Mr. Thorne

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any information in connection with a girl's bonus of 24s. paid to her by Messrs. Zan, Limited, of Wheelock, Sandbach, for good work in the past year, which led to her father's unemployment pay being reduced by 5s. a week for four weeks; whether he has received any information from the chief officer of the Unemployment Assistance Board at Crewe about the matter; whether the girl's bonus was assessed as part of the family income; and what he intends doing about the case?

Mr. Brown

I am having inquiries made and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

Mr. Thorne

Am I to understand that the Minister knows nothing about this case?

Mr. Brown

No, Sir. I have not received an official reply, but I understand from other sources that the case was settled last Monday. I cannot give an official reply until I have received a reply from the Board.

Mr. Thorne

When the right hon. Gentleman gets a reply will he be good enough to circulate to all officers that this payment on a bonus system should not come into the assessment?

Mr. Brown

That is a matter for the Board, but I will draw the hon. Member's remarks to their attention.

Mr. Thorne

Are we to understand that this is the first time this has come to his notice?