HC Deb 18 November 1947 vol 444 cc953-5
3. Mr. S. O. Davies

asked the Minister of National Insurance what is the total amount of money paid out weekly in unemployment benefit and assistance by the exchanges and assistance boards offices in the county borough of Merthyr Tydfil.

Mr. J. Griffiths

In the four weeks ended 10th October, 1947, the average weekly amount of unemployment benefit and assistance paid at local offices in the county borough of Merthyr Tydfil was £3,531. This figure does not include payments of unemployment benefit made through associations, of which a geographical analysis is not available.

Mr. Davies

Am I to understand from that answer that about £3,500 has been spent in Merthyr Tydfil each week to keep in idleness the unemployed there who are anxious to work? If so, will my right hon. Friend draw the attention of the Government to the fact that it is infinitely more desirable to get these men to work than to keep them in idleness?

Mr. Griffiths

I appreciate that point. The figures of unemployed in Merthyr Tydfil are now higher than they ought to be, or will be when our plans are complete, but the figure of 2,000 is infinitely better than we have known in Merthyr Tydfil during the last 25 years.

4. Mr. S. O. Davies

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many persons within the county borough of Merthyr Tydfil have been refused unemployment benefit by the tribunal under the Extension of Benefit Regulations; if he will indicate the reasons for such refusals; and is he satisfied that the directions issued by him to the tribunal have been fully carried out.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Out of 2,557 applications for extended benefit in the county borough of Merthyr Tydfil in the nine months ending 10th October, 1947, the local tribunal has not recommended the payment of extended benefit in 240 cases only. The reasons for the unfavourable recommendations necessarily varied according to the circumstances of the individual case, but, in general, these recommendations were made because the applicants failed in the view of the tribunal to satisfy the statutory conditions for extended benefit, in the light of the guidance contained in the directions which I have issued to tribunals on the subject. I have no reason to believe that these directions are not being observed by the Merthyr Tydfil tribunal.

Mr. Davies

Will my right hon. Friend cause a further inquiry to be made to satisfy himself, and incidentally the hon. Member for Merthyr, that the directions are being carried out both in the letter and in the spirit?

Mr. Griffiths

My hon. Friend has sent me a number of cases, and I am making a personal investigation into them.