HC Deb 21 February 1966 vol 725 c4
6. Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied that the weekly rates of training allowances paid to trainees in sheltered workshops is adequate; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Thornton

These allowances are kept under close review and were increased as recently as October last year.

Mr. Lewis

But does not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that these people are among the most hard hit people in the community? They can look forward only to a very long period of hardship. Now their rates are quite out of line in view of the Government's recent announcement on unemployment rates, and they should be increased as a first charge on the Welfare State.

Mr. Thornton

I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's very great interest in this important problem and these very human cases, but, seeing that we increased the rates as recently as last October, I cannot undertake that we shall review them in the immediate future.