§ 5. Mr. A. Jenkinsasked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered a copy of a resolution adopted by the County Councils' Association calling upon the Government to increase the rates of unemployment benefit and of unemployment assistance so as to enable unemployed persons to maintain themselves and their families in a condition of physical efficiency; and what steps are being taken to give effect to the terms of the resolution?
§ Mr. E. BrownI have considered a resolution upon this subject from the County Councils' Association. As regards benefit, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson) last Thursday. As regards unemployment assistance, the hon. Member will 2081 be aware that since November last all cases have been specially reviewed in the light of the rise in price of certain commodities together with the coming of the winter months, and that increases have been granted in a very large number of cases.
§ Mr. JenkinsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the increase in the cost of living has been more than twice as much as the increase in benefit?
§ Mr. JenkinsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the increase in the cost of living has been greater than the increase in benefit?
§ Mr. BrownI am also aware that the rate of benefit is now higher than it was when the cost of living was higher at the time when the Labour Government was in office.
§ Mr. JenkinsIs not the Minister aware that unemployed persons on statutory benefit and those coming under the Unemployment Assistance Board are worse off now than they were then?
§ Mr. BrownI do not agree. I should say that they are better treated than has ever been the case in this country.