Oral Answers to Questions — Unemployment. – in the House of Commons at on 1 February 1940.
Mr Richard Acland
, Barnstaple
asked the Minister of Labour under which of the Regulations governing the payment of unemployment benefit, members of the Lynmouth lifeboat crew who went to the assistance of a blazing oil-tanker had one day's benefit stopped on account of the money they received from the Lifeboat Institute in recognition of their services?
Mr Ernest Brown
, Leith
In accordance with various decisions of the umpire under Sections 23 and 35 (5) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1935, such payments, generally speaking, would be a bar to benefit. I have not yet been able to complete my inquiries into the special case put, but as soon as I have done so I will write to my hon. Friend.
Mr Richard Acland
, Barnstaple
I cannot say that I regard the answer as unsatisfactory, because I understand the principles that are applied, but I hope I shall have an opportunity on the Adjournment of inviting the Minister to reconsider the whole of this matter in relation to lifeboat crews and their special circumstances.
Mr Ernest Brown
, Leith
Perhaps the hon. Member will look at the Government's derision on 3rd March, 1925.
Mr Walter Windsor
, Kingston upon Hull Central
asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in Hull the Unemployment Assistance Board weekly payments, including winter allowance, in respect of a labourer, his wife and five children, are fixed at £2 5s.; and why, under existing Regulations, this total has not been increased by at least 3s. 6d. a week?
Mr Ernest Brown
, Leith
I am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. Member.
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.
