Mr Ness Edwards: asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the latest available information as to the number of persons over the age of 65 years who are engaged in insurable employment and in respect of whom contributions are payable into the national health, widows and orphans, and pensions funds?
Mr Ness Edwards: asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that in April, 1939, 26.6 per cent, of the applicants for unemployment assistance in the Bargoed area and 32.8 per cent, of similar applicants in the Caerphilly area required additions to scale allowance for nourishment purposes, he is prepared to re-investigate the claim that the present scale allowances are inadequate to meet the...
Mr Ness Edwards: What degree of suffering has to obtain in South Wales before the Minister will be prepared to meet these cases?
Mr Ness Edwards: asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he will give an assurance that in calculating the needs of a household for unemployment assistance, he will give a direction that increases in wages to meet the increased cost of living received by employed persons in the household of unemployed claimants shall not be taken into account; (2) Whether he has considered the resolution of the South Wales...
Mr Ness Edwards: asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has now considered the question of gas masks issued to miners; and whether he has consulted with the coalowners with a view to the provision of suitable containers to protect the masks from damage by coal-dust, heat, and rust?
Mr Ness Edwards: Is the Minister taking any steps to get the coalowners to provide these containers free?
Mr Ness Edwards: asked the Secretary for Mines what steps he proposes to take with regard to the joint representations made to his Department by the Coalowners' Association and the Mineworkers' Federation relating to the inspection of mines by workmen's inspectors arising out of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Safety in Mines?
Mr Ness Edwards: Would it not be possible to proceed by way of regulation for the purpose of carrying out these agreed proposals?
Mr Ness Edwards: asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in view of the dissatisfaction with the sale prices of foods, and the introduction of new responsibilities for food control committees, he will cause the position of local food executive officers to be whole- time appointments?
Mr Ness Edwards: Will the Minister bear in mind the tendency throughout the country for these positions to be occupied by officials who already hold well-paid posts and that they are regarded as providing a source of "pin money" for them?
Mr Ness Edwards: asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to give an undertaking that increases of wages to meet the increased cost of living will not be taken into account in assessing the needs of households in which employed persons reside with claimants for unemployment assistance?
Mr Ness Edwards: Is the Minister aware that in some of these households half the increase of wages has to be repaid to the Unemployment Assistance Board?
Mr Ness Edwards: Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be able to give an answer?
Mr Ness Edwards: asked the Minister of Labour by what authority, based on regulations, the Unemployment Assistance Board acts in reclaiming from soldiers wives payments made pending the receipt of Army allowance?
Mr Ness Edwards: Is the Minister aware that I hold a document which shows that there is a definite demand for an increase, and that is why I put the question down?
Mr Ness Edwards: asked the Minister of Labour whether steps have been taken by the Unemployment Assistance Board to raise the wages stop figure of claimants who were in grades in which wages have now been increased?
Mr Ness Edwards: I want to follow the hon. Gentleman the Member for Gower (Mr. Grenfell) in his general condemnation of the basis of these scales, and also to associate myself with him in paying tribute to the officers of the Board for the very excellent way in which they are handling what is a very dirty job. I come in contact with them very frequently, and I think their service to the State should be noted...
Mr Ness Edwards: In the list of cases does any man appear getting the full rate of 30s.?
Mr Ness Edwards: Does that include medical benefits?
Mr Ness Edwards: In dealing with need, is there to be a distinction between the needs of the pensioner and the needs of his household? Public assistance is determined by household needs. Unemployment assistance is given on a basis of household needs.