MPs row over Scottish bus strike benefits
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• There were heated exchanges in the Commons this week when it was revealed how much has been paid in benefit during the Scottish transport strikes. Mr Brian O'Malley. Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Department of Health and Social Security, said that while the strikes were on 6805 payments of supplementary benefit totalling £41,216 were made to the ependants of persons involved.
A further 2775 payments totalling 16,192 were made to the men involved fter the strikes had ended to tide them over ntil they received wages, added Mr O'Malley. The total administration and staff costs involved in making all these payments were estimated to be £3,400.
Mr John Bruce-Gardyne (Tory, South Angus) commented that owing to the length of the bus strike a great many of the crews found alternative employment. He asked whether it was not a bit tough on Scottish commuters that they should be required to contribute towards the £60,000 paid not merely to prolong a strike but to inflict permanent damage on the service upon which they depended.