HC Deb 20 July 1939 vol 350 cc694-6
7. Mr. James Hall

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to ameliorate the difficulties that will arise in the case of the one-man business, in which the militiaman called up will lose his employment and the good-will of his business?

Mr. E. Brown

The protection afforded in such cases is two-fold. First, the militiaman may apply to have his period of military training postponed in order to give him an opportunity to arrange for some other person to carry on the business in his absence; secondly, he may make application, to the Military Services (Special Allowances) Advisory Committee, for monetary assistance, if, by reason of his being called up for training, he is unable to meet his financial obligations and serious hardship is thereby caused, either to the militiaman himself or to his dependants, if any.

Mr. Hall

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that in some cases it means that these men will lose their businesses entirely? Cannot he do something to safeguard the position for them?

Mr. Brown

I cannot give a general answer, but these two provisions are to meet the major cases. They should make application to the tribunal.

Mr. Hall

Do I understand that the tribunal will be prepared favourably to consider individual cases of hardship?

Mr. Brown

Of course, each man has the right to appeal to the hardship committee.

Mr. Wedgwood Benn

Suppose a man has lost his business at the end of his six months training, he has no right of appeal to the special committee?

Mr. Brown

This is in advance. The issue put to me is that of cases where hardship occurs, and I am pointing out that a man can make his appeal to the hardship committee and they can decide whether or no to postpone his training.

Mr. Shinwell

Could not the hardship be reduced in the case of these one-man businesses if the Special Allowances Committee expedited his application for financial assistance?

Mr. Brown

I am not competent to deal with that particular section, but I will ask my right hon. Friend to look into it.

24. Mr. James Griffiths

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the hardship committee whilst granting short-term postponements to men with a one-man business, are recommending these men to make arrangements to dispose of their businesses during the postponement; and whether, in such cases, assistance will be afforded to these men to secure another source of livelihood at the end of their period of service?

Mr. E. Brown

I am not aware of any general disposition on the part of hardship committees to make recommendations in the sense suggested. It is for the applicant himself to decide whether it is in his interests to dispose of his business or to have it carried on for him during his training, and postponements are being granted by hardship committees in order to give applicants time in which to make the necessary arrangements. Where the applicant decides to have the business carried on during his training, it is open to him to apply to the Military Service (Special Allowances) Advisory Committee for monetary assistance for the purpose. If at the termination of his training he wishes to obtain other work, the resources of the Employment Exchange Service will be available to him.

Mr. Griffiths

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the growing number of cases where the men have been given two months, or at most three months, postponement, and have been told in the meantime that unless they can get someone to look after their business, they must sell it? What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that these young men who are not in insurable employment will have unemployment benefit at the end of their period of training? Does the Minister accept full responsibility for their employment at the end of the period?

Mr. Brown

I shall do my very best.

Sir Percy Harris

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this particularly applies to street traders, many of whom will never be able to get back their business at the end of the period?

Mr. Brown

I am not aware that there is a large number affected. I have received a few letters about cases, but not as many as I had expected.

Mr. Shinwell

Can we have from the Minister a specific assurance that in no case will the Hardship Committees recommend a man to abandon his business, since it is not the job of the Hardship Committees to do anything of the kind?

Mr. Brown

I have not received any information to that effect. If the hon. Gentleman will let me have evidence on the matter, I shall be glad to have it.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider allowing the six months' training to be counted as six months' employment and entitle the men to unemployment benefit at the end of the period?

Mr. Brown

That, of course, would require an amendment of the law —

Mr. Shinwell

Which you refused.

Mr. Brown

That may be, but at the moment I am being asked in advance of the situation to give a pledge. I shall keep the matter in mind.