HC Deb 26 March 1956 vol 550 cc1747-9
5. Mr. D. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will give a direction to the Assistance Board to cease sending out forms asking the employers of men who have been on National Assistance for a loan to tide them over their first week after commencing work.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The National Assistance Board informs me that the arrangement which the hon. Member has in mind operates only in cases where the men concerned have wages already due to them. No question of a loan therefore arises. I should add that I have no power to issue a direction on this subject.

Mr. Griffiths

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is a most unsatisfactory Answer? Will he look into this matter, which is a continuation of the old board of guardians and public assistance system? If the right hon. Gentleman is not prepared to go the whole hog, will he reconsider the matter, because when these people have to ask for a loan after weeks on the National Assistance they are considerably worse off during the first two weeks at least than they were when drawing National Assistance? In view of the fact that they have been off work for several weeks, when they need extra sustenance they ought to have it without having to spread one week's wages over two weeks.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

No doubt the hon. Member is aware that the present arrangements were discussed very carefully at the National Joint Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Labour in 1952 and were found satisfactory. As I said in my main Answer, we are here concerned with cases where wages are due. I understand from the Assistance Board that these notices are sent only in cases where the men concerned have wages due to them. The notice is sent to their employers in order that men who have wages properly due to them should not have to resort to National Assistance.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it is quite right that a man should have a subvention on his first week's wages, which is his own money, rather than seek assistance?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

As my hon. Friend will appreciate, that is the effect of the arrangement.

Mr. Griffiths

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.