HC Deb 13 February 1934 vol 285 cc1768-9W
Mr. LAWSON

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of saving in the county of Durham as the result of the appointment of commissioners?

Sir H. BETTERTON

It is not possible to state the total saving in the county of Durham due to the operation of the needs test owing to the fact that a certain number of persons, on ceasing to draw transitional payments, discontinue registration without finding employment. It is, however, estimated that the expenditure on transitional payments during the year ended 2nd December, 1933, was about £300,000 less than if all the determinations current during the period had been given by the public assistance committee in accordance with their practice prior to December, 1932.

Mr. LAWSON

asked the Minister of Labour if he can now state the annual cost of the administration of transitional payments in the county of Durham for 1931–32 and 1932–33 respectively?

Sir H. BETTERTON

From the time the Unemployment Insurance (National Economy) (No. 2) Order, 1931, came into operation (November, 1931) to 31st March, 1932, the cost of determining the need of persons claiming transitional payments in the county of Durham was £7,840, representing the amount repaid to the Durham County Council in respect of additional expense incurred by them by reason of the duties imposed on them by the Order. For the financial year 1932–33 the cost of making the determinations of need in the county was £34,311, of which £15,218 represented the additional expenses of the Durham County Council for the first eight months of the year, the balance being in respect of the cost (including initial expenditure) of the commissioners and staff. These figures are exclusive of the administrative expenses incurred direct by the Ministry at the Employment Exchanges and elsewhere, otherwise than for the purpose of the determination of need.