HC Deb 27 January 1964 vol 688 cc17-8
28. Mr. Small

asked the Minister of Labour what consultations his Department has with the National Assistance Board on assessing the earning capacities of different categories of workmen, with a view to the application of the wages stop by the Board.

20. Mr. Willis

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent his Department is consulted by the National Assistance Board concerning wage levels for the purpose of enforcing the wages stop.

Mr. Godber

Employment exchanges assist the Board's area offices by supplying on request a broad indication of an unemployed worker's probable earnings in the occupation for which he is registered. If requested, they also supply general information about wage rates in the district.

Mr. Small

That is an unsatisfactory Answer. In order to compare unemployment in many areas which are affected by, for example, rail closures and pit closures on a reasonable basis, we need some criterion so that there is a sense of justice between one section of the community and another when people get caught up in the wages stop. I know that this is a difficult problem, but it is not intractable.

Mr. Godber

These matters must be considered locally in relation to local conditions. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind, I should be happy to look into it.

Mr. Lawson

To what extent does the Minister's Department co-operate with the National Assistance Board in declassifying men whose health, perhaps, has been undermined and who, as a result of that, are sent for medical examination and are then deemed not to be able to carry on the work which they were formerly capable of doing and, therefore, have their National Assistance payments cut?

Mr. Godber

If a man, for medical or other reasons, clearly cannot carry on a similar type of work, he is reclassified to help him to get alternative employment, which is the only way in which he can get re-employment. This is done only in exceptional cases.

Mr. Lawson

Will the Minister look again at this matter? We ask him to find out whether men are being classified as, for example, light labourers with no chance of getting a job and, as a consequence of being so classified, are having their National Assistance payments reduced.

Mr. Godber

I will gladly look at any cases brought to my notice. So far as I am aware, there has been no serious difficulty in relation to this matter.