HC Deb 01 November 1954 vol 532 cc25-6
36. Mr. Collins

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that the National Assistance Board have refused to make grants to London bus men, recently on strike, unless they first agreed to borrow £2; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peake

Assistance to persons in full-time employment is payable only in case of urgent need. Bus men who applied for assistance after the strike were, therefore, first required to take advantage of the London Passenger Transport Executive's offer to make an advance against wages already earned.

Mr. Collins

Is the Minister aware that Government approval of this procedure will create a new and very dangerous principle as applied to National Assistance, and, if extended, would it not destroy the whole basis of National Assistance, namely, that the power to borrow would be used as evidence of means? Will he, therefore, look at this matter again in the hope that this can be reversed?

Mr. Peake

I am informed by the Board that this is not borrowing at all. The men themselves were drawing money to which they were entitled and which they had already earned.

Mr. Mellish

The Minister is quite wrong. These men were offered a loan, and as many of them did not wish to get into debt in this way their wives applied for assistance benefits, they were told that, unless they borrowed this money, they would get no grant from the Board. Surely that is a wrong principle, and will the Minister receive a deputation?

Mr. Peake

I think that the House knows that assistance is given to the wives and dependants of men on strike quite regardless of whether the strike is official or unofficial. In the case of the strikers themselves, the Act lays down, and the Board are bound by the Act, that it can only be given in what are called urgent cases, and I think that the Board in this case was acting properly in suggesting that these men might draw from their employers sums of money which they had already earned.

Mr. Mellish

What about a deputation?

Mr. Peake

Of course, I will receive a deputation from hon. Members of this House at any time.

Mr. Collins

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these men were told that they could not draw assistance unless they first agreed to borrow money? There is a question of principle involved. What is the Minister's reaction to that? Does he approve the principle of forcing people to borrow before they can get assistance?

Mr. Peake

I do not really see that persons are in urgent need if their employers hold a sum of money which is due to them and which they can obtain by asking for it.