§ 20. Mr. Daggarasked the Minister of National Insurance whether, in view of the increased cost of living, it is proposed to increase the rate of unemployment benefit or the supplementary payments made by the Assistance Board; and whether it is proposed to abolish the means test as now applied to the unemployed.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsUnemployment benefit will be one of the provisions dealt with in the National Insurance Bill which I hope to present to the House in the near future, and I cannot now make an announcement in anticipation of the presentation of that Bill.
§ Mr. DaggarCan we have an assurance that when that Bill is introduced provision will be made for the complete abolition of the means test?
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThe Bill will make provision for benefits for unemployment, sickness and other things, and those benefits will be basic benefits to which no test will be applied.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanHas my right hon. Friend's attention been called to an article in the "Evening Standard" written by the Parliamentary Private Secretary of his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer which appears to indicate what are the ultimate figures they have in mind, and will he say whether that article contained official information?
§ Mr. J. GriffithsI am afraid that I have not seen the article in question.
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteIs it not desirable that all those in the Government entourage should refrain from these journalistic activities?
§ Mr. StokesYour lot did not.