§ 34. Mr. Spriggsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he has now considered the case referred to him by the hon. Member for St. Helens; and whether the National Assistance Board will now reimburse the person responsible for maintaining Claude Kenyon, 139, Gladstone Street, St. Helens for the period during which he could not find suitable work on medical grounds.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance (Miss Patricia Hornsby-Smith)The hon. Member will have received a letter from me about this case. As I explained, Mr. Kenyon's case was considered by the appeal tribunal, whose decision was of course implemented by the Board. For the reasons that I gave in my letter, no question of reimbursement arises.
§ Mr. SpriggsIs the hon. Lady aware that this young man received no National Assistance during a period of seven years, during which time he had no work at all, and was not able to work? Has not the Minister considered the report which I sent the National Assistance Board, a copy of which I understand was sent to him? Will not he consider whether a fresh consideration can be made of this case and whether some reimbursement can be provided to the person responsible for maintaining this young man over a period of seven years?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThe hon. Member is over-simplifying this case. As he is aware, these appeals decisions are not made by the Board. Over the long period referred to in the Question the applicant took the case to the National Assistance Board appeal tribunal. At that time Mr. Kenyon was considered unwilling to work. The appeal tribunal directed him to do so, and the Board carried out its instructions that he should be offered accommodation in a re-establishment centre, which it was felt would help him. He repeatedly refused the many offers made 999 to him to attend the centre. In those circumstances, his National Assistance was stopped. More recently he obtained part-time employment and, therefore, the present decision, when he appealed for aid to the National Assistance Board, was based on his then shown willingness and endeavour to be employed.
§ Mr. SpriggsIn view of that unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.