§ 77. Mr. Mappasked the Minister of Social Security which insurance benefits as of right are subject to a test of means.
§ Mr. George Jegerasked the Minister of Social Security how much has been paid out in unemployment benefits and in supplementary benefits in Thorne during each of the past five years.
§ Mr. PentlandThe total amount of unemployment benefit paid out in 1966–67 and 1967–68 at the Thorne employment exchange was £75,490 and £164,313, respectively. The total amount of supplementary allowances paid out to those registered at that exchange in those years was £35,830 and £66,436. I regret that corresponding information for earlier years could not be obtained without undue expenditure of staff time.
§ Mr. Gordon Oakesasked the Minister of Social Security in how many cases during 1967 an insurance officer has supported a widow who has appealed to the National Insurance Commissioner against a decision of a local tribunal rejecting her application for industrial benefit under the Industrial Injuries Acts.
§ Mr. PentlandReliable figures could not be obtained without disproportionate cost and effort. While the Insurance Officer will generally be supporting or opposing a claimant's contention on appeal, his primary function is to assist the Commissioner by presenting the full facts of the case and drawing attention to reported case law.