UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE WINTER ADJUSTMENTS) REGULATIONS, 1938. (Hansard, 23 June 1938)

§ LORD TEMPLEMORE

My Lords, in moving that this Special Order be approved, I should like to point out that normal movements of the cost of living figure were among the factors which were taken into account when the present Unemployment Assistance Regulations were drawn up. By regulation IV (2) on page 4 of the Unemployment Assistance Regulations, 1936, discretion is granted to the Board's officers to meet any special cases that may arise. Last autumn it was considered that abnormal increase in the price of certain commodities, added to the advent of winter, was likely to cause 282 hardship to a good many individuals. The Unemployment Assistance Board therefore instructed its officers to use discretionary powers to prevent as far as possible these hardships from arising. Your Lordships may like to know that as the result of their efforts a great many people were relieved, and a large number of additions made to unemployment allowances. The figures I have show that out of 603,909 applicants 263,388 were in receipt of winter allowances, varying from one shilling to four shillings per week. During last month these winter allowances were withdrawn, and in cases where the addition exceeded two shillings the withdrawal was made by stages.

The Unemployment Assistance Board were advised last autumn that existing powers allowed them to grant increased allowances, but as nobody can know what next winter may be like, whether prices will be high or low, owing to this uncertainty the Board desire to obtain specific authority by Regulation to enable them to meet any additional needs to which winter conditions, as such, irrespective of any rise or fall in the cost of living, may give rise. It is proposed that the Board shall be specifically empowered to deal with winter needs without special regard to changes in the cost of commodities, and the necessary authority is provided in the Regulations now before Parliament. These Regulations have been submitted, as they have to be, by the Unemployment Assistance Board to my right honourable friend the Minister, who has approved of them. They require the approval of both Houses of Parliament, and I beg to move.