§ 53. Mr. Thorneasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that if a man's income does not exceed £250 per annum the family is entitled to a free air-raid shelter; why a man with an income that exceeds that amount, if he has one or two children, must pay for the shelter; that in some cases the income of the family may exceed the £250, even although the father's income may be smaller; whether a man who earns £260 and has to maintain two small children must pay for the shelter; and what action he intends taking about the matter?
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Sir John Anderson)The standard which has been adopted for the free distribution of these shelters was fixed after very careful consideration and is, in my opinion, a generous one. I would point out that it covers all manual workers, whatever their earnings, and that where the income limit 908 is applicable, that is in the case of non-manual workers, it takes account only of the earnings of the householders. I am afraid that no course intermediate between making everyone pay and universal free distribution would have avoided the sort of comparisons made in the question, and I can hold out no expectation that the decision will be reopened.
§ Mr. Garro JonesWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to say on what principle preference is given to a manual worker over a clerical worker with less income?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe principle is the principle embodied in the National Insurance Act.
§ Mr. KirbyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that clerical workers are fed up with the line which is drawn in these matters?
§ Mr. LathanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a special committee set up to inquire into these matters recommended that this discrimination should be abolished?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am not aware of that.