HC Deb 29 July 1936 vol 315 cc1543-4W
Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Minister of Labour whether relatives of persons receiving public assistance from the Public Assistance Board, living as lodgers or tenants of such persons, will be considered as part of the household and thus become liable to contribute to the maintenance of their relatives in receipt of assistance?

Mr. E. BROWN

A person is not treated as a member of an applicant's household if in fact he is a bona fide lodger or tenant. The question whether a person is a member of a household is one of fact and has to be determined by the Board's officer or, on appeal, by the statutory Appeal Tribunal.

Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Minister of Labour whether the investigating officers employed by the Public Assistance Board will be instructed to inquire from the employers of those relatives of applicants for assistance whose earnings and other income must be taken into account when assessing need, what is the weekly income, wages, or other earnings of such relatives?

Mr. E. BROWN

I am informed by the Board that statements regarding earnings are verified where necessary in a number of ways, such as by reference to pay notes. Where sufficient evidence is not otherwise available, it is found necessary to make inquiry of employers. The Board do not propose to change this practice.

Mr. MACLEAN

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he can state the difference in the amounts which would be paid to a family of father, mother, and son, son earning 40s. and the father idle, under the Unemployment Assistance Board scales and the Glasgow Corporation able-bodied scale;

(2) whether he can state the difference in amounts which would be paid to a family of husband and wife, one son earning 40s. weekly, two sons and a daughter idle under the Unemployment Assistance Board scales and the Glasgow Corporation able-bodied scale?

Mr. E. BROWN

It is not possible, in advance of the local advisory committee's recommendations on the various matters referred to them under the Regulations, including rent, to Say what would be the determination in a particular case. In the circumstances it is impossible to say what would be the relation between the amounts payable under the Unemployment Assistance Board's scale and the Glasgow Corporation able-bodied scale. It should be pointed out that the latter scale is also a guiding scale and each case must be decided on the actual facts. The responsibility to relieve need rests with the authority concerned.

Mr. HOLLAND

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that changes have been made in dates for which wages are to be paid at the Glapwell Colliery, Derbyshire; that these changes substantially affect the income to homes where certain members of the household are dependent upon the Unemployment Assistance Board; and whether the board's officer in the area in question has dealt with the situation and with what results?

Mr. E. BROWN

No representations on this matter have been made to the boards' local officer, and the effect of the changes referred to upon the amount of the allowances payable cannot be determined unless particulars are given which will enable the individual cases to be identified. It is open to any applicant who considers that in the light of the new arrangements some alteration of his assessment is required to report the change of circumstances to the board's officer, and a form appropriate to this purpose can be obtained at the Employment Exchange at which the applicant normally attends.