§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of cases in which increased allowances were made to unemployed persons under the Unemployment Assistance Board for the winter months; from what date these increases operated; what was the average or the range of increase in the area of the Outer Hebrides last winter; and in how many cases there were reductions during that period?
§ Mr. E. BrownIn Great Britain the total number of winter additions to assessments current on 17th January last (which is the latest date in respect of which comparative information is available) was 263,388. The earliest date for which any of these additions became effective was 11th November, 1937. In the2146W circumstances arising out of the special economic conditions of the Outer Hebrides no winter additions as such were made, but due regard was had throughout the winter to any special circumstances arising in individual cases. The action taken was in accordance with the advice of the Outer Hebrides Advisory Committee. I regret that the information asked for in the last part of the question is not available.