HC Deb 01 August 1946 vol 426 cc1186-8
2. Mrs. Braddock

asked the Minister of National Insurance if, in view of the hardship on unemployed persons, ex-Service-men included, who have exhausted un- employment standard benefit, he will put into operation, immediately the National Insurance Act becomes law, the new rates of unemployment benefits.

Mr. J. Griffiths

I would refer my hon. Friend to my recent reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Blackburn of which I am sending her a copy.

Mrs. Braddock

Can my right hon. Friend give me any indication of the date upon which these people can expect to be relieved of the indignity of having to submit to a means test after being unemployed for six months?

Mr. Griffiths

I am sorry, but I cannot give a date now. The question is under consideration and is involved in the bringing into operation of the new Bill.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

My right hon. Friend will surely agree that he cannot give a date at all because the Bill provides in Clause 12 that for some unemployed persons there must be a means test?

Mr. Griffiths

As my hon. Friend knows perfectly well, the Bill contains provisions under Clause 62, and it is those provisions I have in mind.

Mrs. Braddock

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these people who have been unemployed for so long have expected something much better of the Government in office at the moment than they are getting?

Mr. Griffiths

As my hon. Friend knows quite well, we have been working on this Bill for months past, but as I have stated I cannot give the date for which she has asked.

Mr. Attewell

Will my right hon. Friend circulate the report in HANSARD SO that we shall all know the answer?

Sir W. Darling

Does this mean that the Government are contemplating introducing legislation to abolish the means test?

Mr. Griffiths

I have just piloted through this House the National Insurance Bill, and we are now waiting for the time when that Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.

Mr. Kirkwood

Is it not a fact that it is the Tories who are in favour of the means test?

Mr. Attewell

Can I have an answer to my supplementary question as to whether the report is to be circulated in HANSARD?

Mr. Griffiths

I am not sure to which report my hon. Friend refers.

Mr. Attewell

I understood the Minister to say that he was sending a copy to the hon. Lady and I am asking whether he will kindly publish it in HANSARD.

Mr. Griffiths

The report is contained in a reply to a previous Parliamentary Question and has therefore already appeared in HANSARD.