§ Mr. Boothasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what changes she intends to make in the benefits payable under her Department's transfer schemes.
§ Mr. FernyhoughMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs announced on 25th June that the Government were arranging to bring into line with present-day requirements the level of benefits paid under my Department's transfer schemes. The following improvements in the Resettlement Transfer Scheme—and where appropriate the Key Workers' Scheme and Nucleus Labour Force Scheme—will come into effect on 1st September. The limit on earnings above which a worker is ineligible for benefits will be raised from £1,500 to £2,000 per year. The lodging allowances will go up from 70s. to 84s. per week and the maximum payable under the continuing liability allowance will be increased by the same amount. The incidental expenses grant will be increased from £30 to £40 and the assistance towards the legal and other costs of buying and selling a house will be changed so that the maximum payable where there is either house sale or purchase will be increased to £125 and where there is both sale and purchase to £200. In certain circumstances a free return fare for interview may now be payable. At the same time we propose to make it a rule that applications under the Resettlement Transfer Scheme must be made within six months of the transfer taking place.—[Vol. 785, c. 1506–8.]