§ Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Social Security why no provision is made by her Department for the support of single men and women who are out of work as a result of an industrial dispute in which they are not directly involved.
§ Mrs. HartThe Ministry of Social Security Act provides that supplementary benefit shall not normally be paid for the personal requirements of anybody involved in a trade dispute within the meaning of Section 10 of the158W Act, which is in the same terms as the trade dispute disqualification for unemployment benefit.
The question of involvement in a dispute is a difficult one and has been examined by the Royal Commission on Trade Unions and Employers' Associations, whose recommendations are under consideration. The Supplementary Benefits Commission have, however, a discretionary power to make a grant for the claimant's own needs in an urgent case. I am writing to my hon. Friend about the particular cases he has in mind.