Resettlement Transfer Scheme (Allowances)

HC Deb 16 May 1966 vol 728 c914

48. Mr. Dickens

asked the Minister of Labour if he will improve the allowances payable under his Department's Resettlement Transfer Scheme.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

No, Sir. These allowances were considerably improved as recently as February, 1965.

Mr. Dickens

Is not my hon. Friend aware that these allowances, although recently improved, are still quite inadequate to encourage mobility? Is she further aware that they are markedly inferior to those available in most comparable Western European countries?

Mrs. Williams

My hon. Friend will find that these allowances are intended, not to cover the entire cost of being away from home, but as a contribution to meet the additional expense of living away from home.