HC Deb 17 March 1952 vol 497 cc1896-7
2. Mr. Leslie Hale

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether it is the practice of his officers to ask for figures of wife's earnings on an application by a husband for unemployment benefit.

Mr. Peake

This is done in cases where the husband is claiming an increase in benefit for his wife, or they are engaged in business together.

Mr. Hale

Is the Minister aware that, in the case of which I have already given him notice, a man who had been working full time in the cotton industry was asked to produce a balance sheet and a profit and loss account for the very small shop kept by his wife, which showed a profit of £90 a year; and that he was warned to be very careful as to his conduct? In view of the fact that there are now 10,000 people wholly or partly unemployed in Oldham, will the right hon. Gentleman see that instructions are given to ensure that this does not happen again?

Mr. Peake

No, Sir. The position is that, where a husband claims unemployment benefit and his wife is keeping a shop, it is necessary for the authorities to be satisfied that the man is not gainfully occupied when he is in receipt of unemployment benefit, and, for that reason, inquiries are made as to whether the husband is being employed there.

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Mr. Hale

Surely, the Minister is aware that, in the case referred to, the man was fully employed in the cotton industry and had been for years? Is it not a quite monstrous innovation that, where a man is fully insured in connection with his full-time employment, attempts are to be made by the Government to reduce the benefit because his wife has a different source of income?

Mr. Peake

It is a condition of unemployment benefit that a man should not be gainfully employed, and, where his wife is keeping a shop, it is necessary to inquire whether, when the man is not engaged on his normal job, he is, in fact, taking part in the business activities of the shop.

Mr. Martin Lindsay

Is not the procedure which my right hon. Friend has just outlined exactly the same as took place under the previous Government?

Mr. Peake

That is so.

Mr. Hale

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, and of the applause which it drew from the Government benches, I beg to give notice that I shall take an early opportunity of raising this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.