§ Mr. E. J. Williamsasked the Minister of Labour whether he can account for the small proportion of persons in receipt of winter allowances under the Unemployment Assistance Board in the Maesteg and Bridgend areas; and what are the methods adopted by the Board in ascertaining the special winter needs of the individual on the Exchange register?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe proportion in receipt of winter allowances in these areas, though lower than in some other areas in South Wales, are not small, being 42 per cent. at Maesteg, and 50 per cent. at Bridgend, the latter being approximately the proportion for the country generally.
I am informed by the Board that every case is considered individually in the light of the principles laid down in the instructions relating to winter adjustments, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House. Care is taken to ensure that these instructions are applied on the same basis throughout the country. Variations as between one locality and another in the proportion of cases in which winter additions have been made are principally due to differences in local conditions.