Oral Answers to Questions — Unemployment. – in the House of Commons at on 4 August 1924.
Mr William Thorne
, West Ham Plaistow
asked the Minister of Labour the date on which the new unemployment benefit will commence for those who are qualified?
Miss Margaret Bondfield
, Northampton
The increased rates of benefit payable under the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Act will operate from and including the 14th August, namely, the second Thursday next after the commencement of the Act, which received Royal Assent on Friday, 1st August. My hon. Friend will, of course, observe that the 14th August is the commencing date of eligibility for the new rates of benefit. The first actual payment thereof will normally and generally be Friday, 22nd August.
Mr William Thorne
, West Ham Plaistow
Will the unemployed receive their pay on the old system until the new one is in operation?
Mr Cooper Rawson
, Brighton
Will aliens also receive benefit on the same date?
Miss Margaret Bondfield
, Northampton
Those who are entitled to benefit under the Act.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
