27. Mr. Whiteleyasked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared, owing to the increased cost of living, to recommend additional benefit to the unemployed?
§ 28. Mr. R. J. Taylorasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the surplus in the Unemployment Fund, he is now prepared to recommend an increase in unemployment benefit to meet the rise in the cost of living?
§ Mr. E. BrownI must ask the hon. Members to await the forthcoming report of the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee which will show the amount, if any, of the disposable surplus in the Unemployment Fund and make recommendations with regard thereto.
§ Mr. TaylorDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that recipients of the Unemployment Assistance Board in special circumstances have increases to 2047 meet the cost of living? Will he recommend an increase for those receiving ordinary standard benefit?
§ Mr. BrownI would ask the hon. Gentleman to await the report which will be produced at the end of the month.