HC Deb 19 March 1946 vol 420 cc1662-3
17. Mr. Garry Allighan

asked the Minister of Labour the number of disabled persons who have been on the unemployment register at Gravesend and throughout the country, respectively, for more than six months.

Mr. Isaacs

At 18th February there were 27 disabled person registered under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act who had been on the unemployment registers at Gravesend Employment Exchange for over six months. For Great Britain, the total was 13,497. These figures include severely disabled persons who need employment under sheltered conditions.

Mr. Allighan

In view of the figures which the Minister has given, is he satisfied that the machinery for reintegrating these people into industry is working satisfactorily?

Mr. Isaacs

The hon. Member asked me what happened on 18th February. I trust that he is aware that the quota scheme only came into operation on 1st March.

18. Mr. Garry Allighan

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the qualifications for eligibility for a resettlement grant are that an ex-Serviceman is disabled or, if not, re-starting his prewar business; that a condition for the first category is that a disablement pension has been granted; and if, in view of the hardships created in the case of disabled men whose claim to pension has been rejected, he will reconsider the matter with a view to enlarging the field for such grants.

Mr. Isaacs

Although, to be eligible for assistance under the Resettlement Grants scheme, an applicant who is not a "re-starter" must have a disability attributable to his service in the recent war, he need not actually be in receipt of a pension. He is eligible under the scheme provided that his disability is of a kind which would entitle him to a pension if the disablement were of a sufficient degree. I regret that I am unable to accept my hon. Friend's suggestion as to enlarging the field for resettlement grants.

Mr. Allighan

In view of the fact that the Minister's statement shows that there is a much more humane standard of assessment for disablement exercised by his Ministry than by the Ministry of Pensions, will be recommend that standard to his colleague?

Mr. Isaacs

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will address that question to the right quarter.