HC Deb 18 July 1940 vol 363 cc376-7
8. Sir Herbert Williams

asked the Minister of Labour what changes took place in the aggregate number of insured persons in the chief groups of the engineering industry, that is to say, in general engineering, electrical engineering, marine engineering, constructional engineering, and the construction of motor-vehicles, cycles, and aircraft, between July, 1929, and July, 1931, and between July, 1931, and July, 1939, respectively?

Mr. Bevin

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Sir H. Williams

In view of the fact that the Question does not require a table of figures, may I have an answer to it? On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker, may I have an answer to my Question, in view of the fact that details can only be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT by permission of the Member who has asked the Question?

Mr. Speaker

The Minister said that the answer did contain a table of figures.

Sir H. Williams

If you will be kind enough to read the Question, Mr. Speaker, it will be found that I have asked for only two figures.

Following is the reply:

account of a deceased soldier is paid to his family, that balance will be treated as savings of the family for purposes of the unemployment allowances?

Mr. Bevin

The Board inform me that the balance of the service account of a deceased soldier would not normally be taken into account to reduce an unemployment allowance. I have written to my hon. Friend with regard to the case mentioned in the Question he put to me on 11th July. The money referred to in that case consisted of arrears of dependants' allowance and was not the balance of the soldier's account.

Mr. Gibson

I am much obliged to the Minister for his answer, and also for his letter to me.