HC Deb 03 June 1947 vol 438 cc17-8
37. Mrs. Braddock

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will arrange to pay the new rates of unemployment benefit immediately.

The Minister of National Insurance (Mr. James Griffiths)

As I have already stated in reply to previous similar Questions, provision has already been made by regulations for extended benefit on the lines of flection 62 of the National Insurance Act and for the repayment of waiting days under Section II of that Act. I do not contemplate that any further provision of the Act relating to unemployment can be introduced in advance of the main insurance scheme especially where, as in this proposal, an increase of contributions would be involved.

Mrs. Braddock

Is the Minister aware that where there are pockets of unem- ployment the fact that 24s. a week is being paid to a single man and 40s. a week to a man and wife, who are ablebodied, causes consternation about the fact that these sums have not been increased since the advent of the present Government?