Written Answers
Old Age Pensions
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what total weekly contribution would be necessary to enable the payment of an old age pension to the wife of an old age pensioner where she is not of pensionable age?
As regards the cost of the proposal in the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey) on the 19th March last. As regards the contributions necessary to meet this cost, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave, him yesterday to a series of questions about old age pensions.
Transport
Municipal Services (Officials' Permits)
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many corporations arrange for permits on their municipal transport services, usually against the payment of a lump sum, to enable their officials to travel about on duty; that the traffic commissioners have now announced that trey regard this practice with disfavour, and are making detailed inquiries into all such permits with a view to restricting them; and whether he can give an assurance that this practice, which has worked satisfactorily for many years, shall not be interfered with?
I have no information as to the actions or views in this matter attributed by my hon. Friend to the Traffic Commissioners. It is one for the Commissioners to decide, subject to the rights of appeal to me given by Section 81 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930.
Traffic Control Lights, London
asked the Minister of Transport whether his reports show that the electric automatic traffic lights installed in the West End of London are working satisfactorily; whether it is contemplated augmenting the erection of these in the West End in the near future; and will he give particulars?
I am advised that the light control signals in the West End of London are working satisfactorily. In Westminster, St. Marylebone and Kensington there are signals in operation at 115 intersections. Grants have been issued for a further 28 installations, and schemes are under discussion with the local authorities in regard to 35 other installations.
Motor Omnibus Accidents
asked the Minister of Transport whether he has made any inquiry into the circumstances of the recent overturning of motor omnibuses on the public roads; and if he has any report to make in regard thereto?
In each of the two cases which presumably my hon. Friend has in mind police proceedings are pending.
Unemployment
Transitional Payments And Public Assistance
asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons receiving unemployment assistance in whose cases the Unemployment Assistance Board scale is greater than the transitional payments scale; the number in whose cases the Unemployment Assistance Board scale is less than the transitional payments scale; also, if figures are available, the number in whose cases the Unemployment Assistance Board scale is greater, and the number in whose cases it is less, than the unemployment benefit scale; and if he will give the above figures for England and Wales and also for the Newcastle-on-Tyne area?
pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 29th May, 1936, cols. 2402–4, Vol. 312) supplied the following statement:In the week ended 13th December, 1935, the most recent date for which these statistics are available, the approximate number of payments of unemployment allowances under the Unemployment Assistance Regulations, as being equal to or more favourable than according to transitional payments practice, and the number of payments made according to that practice, as being more favourable than under the regulations were as follows:
| Number of payments of Unemployment Allowances in the week ended 13th December, 1935. | |||
| — | Great Britain. | England and Wales. | Newcastle-on-Tyne.* |
| According to the Unemployment Assistance Regulations. | 305,000 (44 per cent.). | 270,000 (47 per cent.). | 8,400 (70 per cent.). |
| According to Transitional Payments practice. | 388,000 (56 per cent.). | 305,000 (53 per cent.). | 3,570 (30 per cent.). |
* Payments made at Employment Exchanges in the County Borough area. | |||
Figures are not available for the purpose of comparison of scales under the Unemployment Assistance Regulations with unemployment benefit.
asked the Minister of Labour the total weekly amount being paid in transitional payments in July, 1931, and at the end of 1934, and the total weekly amount being paid in unemployment assistance at the present time, and the average amount per applicant, including dependants, being paid per
| Statement showing at certain dates the approximate total weekly amounts paid at local offices of the Ministry of Labour by way of transitional benefit, transitional payments and unemployment allowances in Great Britain, England and Wales and Newcastle-on-Tyne (County Borough Area) and the average weekly payments (including dependants). | |||||||||
| Date. | Great Britain. | England and Wales. | Newcastle-on-Tyne. | ||||||
| Total weekly amount paid. | Average weekly payment (including dependants). | Total weekly amount paid. | Average weekly payment (including dependants). | Total weekly amount paid. | Average weekly payment (including dependants). | ||||
| Transitional Benefit: (a) | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. |
| July, 1931 | 470,000 | 20 | 7 | 394,000 | 20 | 5 | 8,500 | 22 | 1 |
| Transitional Payments: | |||||||||
| Week ended 14th December, 1934. | 773,000 | 22 | 0 | 636,000 | 21 | 11 | 14,400 | 22 | 9 |
| Transitional Payments and Unemployment Allowances: | |||||||||
| January and February, 1935; "first appointed day" to the "standstill."(b) | 776,000 | 21 | 11 | 640,000 | 21 | 11 | 14,400 | 22 | 8 |
| Unemployment Allowances: | |||||||||
| Week ended 15th May, 1936. | 762,000 | 23 | 6 | 631,000 | 23 | 6 | 13,450 | 24 | 6 |
| (a) As from 12th November, 1931, transitional benefit was abolished and replaced by transitional payments. | |||||||||
| (b) Excluding the payments of arrears of unemployment allowances under the provisions of be Unemployment Assistance (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1935. | |||||||||
National Health Insurance
asked the Minister of Health whether he has any records and can state the amount paid out by Approved
week in transitional payments in July, 1931, and at the end of 1934, and in unemployment assistance at the present time and in January and February, 1935, before the standstill order; and if he will give the above figures for England and Wales and for the Newcastle-on-Tyne area?
pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 29th May, 1936, cols. 2402–4, Vol. 312) supplied the following statement:Societies for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date to persons suffering from rheumatism or arthritis, bronchitis, and valvular disease of the heart?
No, Sir; the records of Approved Societies are not kept in such a form as to enable the desired information to be supplied.
India (Silk Duties)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Indian tariff on spun-silk yarns has been raised from 26 per cent. ad valorem to 25 per cent. ad valorem plus 14 annas per pound weight, with no preference for yarns of British origin; that such increase threatens to stop British exports of spun-silk yarns to India while Japanese yarns, owing to low costs of production, will be in a position to increase their present exports to India; and will he make representations to the Government of India with a view to preserving for British silk spinners this, their largest, overseas market?
I am aware of the fact stated in the first part of the question. This matter will not be lost sight of in any future negotiations.