HC Deb 18 December 1933 vol 284 cc923-4W
Mr. PALMER

asked the Minister of Labour how many temporary men employed at Kew served in the War and, having rendered satisfactory service to the Ministry in the recent emergency, are

Determinations by Public Assistance Authorities and Commissioners on applications for transitional payments.
Area. Period. Percentage of determinations in which needs of applicants were held not to justify payment.
Initial application. Renewals and Revisions.
Lancashire Administrative County 25th January, 1932 to 7th January, 1933. 32. 7 8. 2
9th January, 1933 to 4th November, 1933. 28. 4 8. 0
Glamorganshire Administrative County. 25th January, 1932 to 7th January, 1933. 1. 9 0. 4
9th January, 1933 to 4th November, 1933. 2. 6 0. 4
Durham Administrative County 25th January, 1932 to 7th January, 1933. 2. 7 0. 9
9th January, 1933 to 4th November, 1933. 10. 2 3. 1
I should point out that any comparisons between authorities on the basis of these statistics must be subject to many qualifications. The percentage of determinations providing no payments at all in any particular area are substantially affected by various factors as, for example, the general economic conditions of the area, the extent to which the income coming into the household is commonly that of one or of a number of wage earners, the relation between the maximum scale adopted by the authority for public assistance purposes and the corresponding rate of benefit applicable.

now in danger of dismissal; and if he will take any steps to retain the services of ex-service men, or arrange for their transfer to another Department or Ministry?

Mr. HUDSON

As a consequence of a recent reduction of staff at this office, it has been necessary to place about 50 men upon weekly instead of monthly engagements, but this is merely a precautionary measure, and does not indicate that these men are in any immediate danger of dismissal, so far as can at present be foreseen. I can assure my hon. Friend that every effort is made to avoid unnecessary discharges, and to find other employment for those discharged.