Benefit (Explanatory Leaflets).

Oral Answers to Questions — Unemployment. – in the House of Commons at on 24 July 1934.

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Photo of Mr Irving Albery Mr Irving Albery , Gravesend

29.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed to issue any explanatory pamphlets concerning the changes which took place as from the 1st July in unemployment benefit for the information of unemployed persons?

Photo of Mr Robert Hudson Mr Robert Hudson , Southport

Special posters have been exhibited in all Employment Exchanges giving the increased rates of benefit which came into force on 1st July. A leaflet (U.I.L.18) describing the conditions for the receipt of unemployment benefit as amended by the new Act is given to every claimant, while fuller particulars of the changes introduced by the new Act are included in a leaflet (U.I.L.8) which can be obtained on request at any Employment Exchange.

hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the figures:

I am sending copies of these leaflets to my hon. Friend.

Photo of Mr Irving Albery Mr Irving Albery , Gravesend

Are these leaflets in a sufficiently simple form for any ordinary working man to understand? If not, can something on those lines be done?

Photo of Mr Robert Hudson Mr Robert Hudson , Southport

I think that when the hon. Member has read the leaflets he will agree that the ordinary unemployed man can understand them.

Photo of Mr Neil Maclean Mr Neil Maclean , Glasgow Govan

Will the hon. Gentleman kindly consider issuing these leaflets to Members of Parliament, who will be inundated by claimants who feel themselves aggrieved, and who will want to know what is contained in the leaflets?

Photo of Mr Robert Hudson Mr Robert Hudson , Southport

I will see if I can arrange for copies to be put in the Vote Office. I shall be glad to send them to any Member who writes to me.

Photo of Mr Joseph Batey Mr Joseph Batey , Spennymoor

Do these leaflets apply only to people receiving standard benefit, and do they state that men on standard benefit receive only 16s. instead of 17s.?

Photo of Mr Robert Hudson Mr Robert Hudson , Southport

I assume that the persons in Durham who are on transitional payments are aware of the scales in force now.

Photo of Mr Joseph Batey Mr Joseph Batey , Spennymoor

Are they in the leaflets?

Minister

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.