HC Deb 02 November 1939 vol 352 cc2075-8
6. Mr. Ness Edwards

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to give an undertaking that increases of wages to meet the increased cost of living will not be taken into account in assessing the needs of households in which employed persons reside with claimants for unemployment assistance?

Mr. E. Brown

I cannot at present add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 5th October, 1939.

Mr. Edwards

Is the Minister aware that in some of these households half the increase of wages has to be repaid to the Unemployment Assistance Board?

Mr. Brown

I said that I could not add to the answer which I have given.

Mr. George Griffiths

Does the Minister think that increases of wages ought to be taken into account, and is he aware that I know a man in Yorkshire who has an increase of 1½d., which is deducted? It is a burning shame.

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member knows that the matter is not quite so simple as that.

Mr. Edwards

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be able to give an answer?

Mr. Brown

Not at the moment.

13. Mr. Ness Edwards

asked the Minister of Labour by what authority, based on regulations, the Unemployment Assistance Board acts in reclaiming from soldiers wives payments made pending the receipt of Army allowance?

Mr. Brown

The Board inform me that it is not their practice to reclaim payments made pending the receipt of Army allowances. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad if he will let me have particulars.

Mr. Charles Brown

Is the Minister aware that this regulation is now in operation in some areas?

Mr. E. Brown

That is so, and I shall be most glad to give to the hon. Member further particulars. I was aware that this question was raised, and that is why I asked the Board, who have informed me that it is not their responsibility.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Is the Minister aware that I hold a document which shows that there is a definite demand for an increase, and that is why I put the question down?

Mr. Brown

Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to let me have it.

Mr. G. Griffiths

Have you not seen one?

15. Mr. Leslie

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will ensure that unemployed men who have undertaken to cultivate allotments under the war-time scheme will not be penalised by suffering any reduction in unemployment allowances because of the food they are able to produce?

Mr. Brown

The Unemployment Assistance Board inform me that it is not their practice to make any reduction in respect of the produce of allotments consumed in the households of persons in receipt of allowances.

Mr. Leslie

Suppose he sells a trifling amount; would that be taken into account?

Mr. Brown

I really could not say. I should like to understand what the hon. Member means by a trifle. I have answered the question which was asked.

Mr. T. Smith

As an encouragement to allotment holders, would the right hon. Gentleman see that this information is put up in Employment Exchanges?

Mr. Brown

I will consider whether that is necessary.

Mr. Thorne

If the men are able to sell their products for not more than 3s. 9d. a day, will that be taken into consideration?

Mr. Brown

I should like to see that question on the Paper.

16. Mr. George Hall

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that parents in receipt of an allowance under the Unemployment Assistance Board are, through the operation of the means test, having their allowances reduced when an allotment has been made on their behalf by a son or sons serving in His Majesty's forces; and will he make representations to the Unemployment Assistance Board to abolish the operation of the means test in such cases?

Mr. Brown

I am consulting with the Unemployment Assistance Board in this matter and will communicate with the hon. Member.

Mr. Hall

What right have the Unemployment Assistance Board to take money which is not received by a member of the household? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it is a scandal that the Unemployment Assistance Board has given instructions to take 3s. 6d. out of an allotment of 7s. per week, of a man who is receiving only 14s.?

Mr. Brown

I am not quite sure that the whole story is as the hon. Member now states it. It is a very complicated matter in detail. I have looked at the background of it, and for that reason I am consulting with the Board about it.

Mr. Hall

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in his opinion, deductions of this kind should take place?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member will not expect me to answer that question. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] I am in consultation with the Board about it.

Mr. Kirkwood

Arising from the Minister's original reply, and seeing that the whole House, irrespective of party, is complaining at the moment, is it not time that the Government considered the advisability of abolishing the means test?

Mr. Brown

I think not.

Mr. Gallacher

Then apply the means test to Ireland.

Mr. Hall

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

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