§ Mr. Gallacherasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the unemployment assistance allowances in September, 1937, averaged 24s. 6d. per applicant and in January, 1938, 25s., he will say in how many cases an addition of 2s. was made to current assessment; in what proportion of cases an increase was granted; and what were the factors 620W determining whether or not an increase should be granted in any case, seeing that the increase in prices affects all cases alike?
§ Mr. E. BrownOn 17th January 263,388 applicants were in receipt of allowances which had been increased on account of the special circumstances referred to in the Board's instruction of 22nd October last. In some 224,000 of these cases or 85 per cent. the additions were 2s. or more. In reply to the last part of the question I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Board's instruction, copies of which were placed at the time in the Library of the House.