§ Mr. BATEYasked the Minister of Labour the number of means test cases which have been dealt with by the public assistance committee at Reading; the number where the full benefit has been allowed, the number red-aced, and the number refused; the amount of benefit saved per week; and the cost of the new administration?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONBetween 12th November, 1931, and 20th February, 1932, 3,058 applications for transitional payments were submitted to the Reading public assistance committee. In 1,727 cases payment was allowed at maximum benefit rates, and in 739 at lower rates, while in 592 cases the needs of applicants were held not to justify payments being made. The figures include renewals and revisions of determinations, and the number of separate individuals concerned is not available. In regard to the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the concluding portion of my reply to his question of 10th March.