§ 19. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of National Insurance whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. Aleksander Rudowski, a Polish national, living in a 10-guinea-a-week Kensington flat, drawing £7 per week in rent from sub-tenants, claiming inability to work, and yet receiving £4 17s. 6d. per week National Assistance benefit; and whether he will make a statement in connection with this matter.
§ Mr. PeakeThe affairs of an applicant for assistance are normally regarded as confidential and if the facts in this case had not been reported in the Press I would have felt obliged to maintain that rule. I have, however, ascertained from the National Assistance Board that this man, who has a wife and son living with him, previously had to pay £3 a week for furnished rooms. He took his present flat expecting that by sub-letting part of it he would obtain accommodation for his family at a reasonable figure. The Board's allowance only provides for a very small part of the rent he is paying and he is now trying to get other accommodation.
§ Mr. LewisIf, as the Minister said, and quite rightly, things such as this should not be reported in the Press because they are confidential, can he say whether there has been any leakage from his Department which led to the matter being reported? Who was responsible for the report?
§ Mr. PeakeThese facts came out in court because one of the sub-tenants of part of this fiat applied to the rent tribunal for a reduction in the amount of payment.