§ 5. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in cases where men serving with the Forces made an allotment out of their pay to their fathers, the Unemployment Assistance Board deduct 9s. out of the 17s. allotment from the father's unemployment allowance; and will he take steps to stop this practice which is causing dissatisfaction?
§ Mr. E. BrownI assume that the hon. Member is referring to a dependant's allowance, part only of which is derived from the man's own pay. I am not aware that the Board's practice in regard to the treatment of these allowances is causing dissatisfaction, but if the hon. Member has any particular case in mind and cares to let me have details I will have inquiries made.
§ Mr. GriffithsI will send the right hon. Gentleman the details. May I ask whether on the principle of this reduction he will say whether it has the approval of the Board?
§ Mr. BrownI understand that the Board are now considering whether any change in their previous practice is necessary. As the hon. Member knows, it is difficult for me to say precisely what kind of case he has in his question, but if he will let me know what it is we can discuss the matter.
§ Mr. ThorneIn the case of allowances, would it receive any consideration?
§ Mr. Robert GibsonWill the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind that this bears much more heavily on a widow whose son is serving?
§ 8. Lieut.-Commander Tufnellasked the Minister of Labour whether he will ascertain the approximate number of wives of serving soldiers who, failing to receive their statutory allowances, have been obliged to have recourse to the unemployment assistance authorities; and whether, in that case, they must register for employment which they do not need and disclose their financial position?
§ Mr. BrownI regret that there are no figures available which would enable me to answer the first part of the question. As regards the second part, the Board is not empowered to grant allowances except on the basis of need, and it is therefore necessary for all applicants to provide particulars of their circumstances, but they are not required to register for employment where no useful purpose would be served by their doing so.
§ Lieut.-Commander TufnellIn view of the resentment felt by these women in having to go to the unemployment assistance board and being bandied about from one office to another, would my right hon. Friend arrange to have a separate office at which these cases could be investigated with the sympathetic attention that is due to them?
§ Mr. BrownThe hon. and gallant Member knows that the origin of these allowances is not with me. We have to deal with needs.
§ Mr. SutcliffeIs the right hon. Gentleman doing his utmost with his right hon. Friend to expedite these payments, as many women are suffering great difficulties at the moment and are being pressed hard for rent?
§ 9. Lieut.-Commander Tufnellasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the wives of serving soldiers who cannot obtain their statutory allowances are forced to wait long periods in queues at some Employment Exchanges 1004 and unemployment assistance boards to receive advances of the money due to them, he will take steps to arrange shorter waiting periods and the avoidance of waiting in such queues?
§ Mr. BrownEvery effort is made so to regulate attendance at local offices that, if instructions are observed, there should be no undue waiting. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any specific cases he has in mind, I will look into them.
§ 20. Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is considerable discontent among those in receipt of grants from the Unemployment Assistance Board in Rayleigh and Dagen-ham and district at their inadequacy following the recent increase in the cost of living; and whether winter allowances will be introduced forthwith?
§ Mr. BrownI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith) on 27th September and to the hon. Member for Stoke (Mr. E. Smith) on 5th October.