§ 4. Mr. Daggarasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the practice at the office of the Unemployment Assistance Board at Abertillery, in connection with the presentation of a doctor's certificate, has been for the local officer to inform the applicant of the date of expiry of such a certificate; that recently this practice has been disregarded, with considerable disadvantage to the appli- 1587 cant's interest, because he is compelled, unless reminded of the date of expiration in order to obtain another certificate, to wait another week before receiving the extra allowance; and whether he will advise a return to the long-established method of notification?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am informed by the Board that, while there has been some change of practice at Abertillery, the new arrangements safeguard the position of an applicant in whose case the need for a special addition to his allowance continues. When the change of practice took place, certain applicants were not notified. In every case, however, where a further medical certificate was subsequently produced the required addition was made retrospectively so that the applicant suffered no financial disadvantage.
§ Mr. DaggarDo I understand from that reply that the practice is no longer to be followed by the area officer?
§ Mr. BrownI understand that the difficulty in the existing practice has been overcome, but if the hon. Member has other information I shall be glad to have it.
§ Mr. DaggarThe purpose of my question was to see that the area officer reverses his previous decision, which was contrary to the practice which has been very long standing in the area.