HC Deb 28 February 1924 vol 170 cc671-2
66. Mr. P. HARRIS

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that some education authorities are requiring supply teachers to pay Unemployment Insurance; and whether, if they make such contributions, they will be entitled to draw unemployment benefit?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Mr. Shaw)

I have been asked to reply. Supply teachers in public elementary schools must be insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts unless their employment is of sufficient duration to bring it within the category of "recognised service" for the purposes of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Acts, 1918 and 1922. The conditions for the receipt of benefit are the same for supply teachers as for other insured persons; and if a claim to benefit is made during a school holiday the question would arise whether the teacher is discharged, and, therefore, unemployed or is on vacation. In accordance with the ordinary procedure this question would be decided in any particular case by the Insurance Officer, Court of Referees and the Umpire.