§ Lieut.-Colonel MOORE -BRABAZONasked the Minister for Labour whether he is aware that, as a result of the moulders' strike, certain skilled and unskilled workmen are, though unconnected with it, thrown out of work; that the skilled men receive unemployment pay, whilst the unskilled trimmers, labourers, etc., do not; and whether he will take steps to see that the men coming under the latter categories receive forthwith unemployment pay for the period of enforced unemployment, in view of the fact that during the railway strike both skilled and unskilled workers were eligible for unemployment pay?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The rules according to which claims to donation or unemployment benefit in such cases are decided were explained in reply to the hon. Member for Newton on the 5th November. They do not give any preferential treatment to skilled workmen, nor are they different from those applied during the railway strike; and I cannot undertake to alter them in the manner suggested by the hon. Member.
Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the Minister of Labour whether the out-of-work donation has been granted to men thrown out of employment by the strike of moulders; and what measures have been taken to secure such workmen from unnecessary hardship and anxiety?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have recently answered several questions in regard to 79W the right to out-of-work donation or unemployment benefit in the case of men thrown out of employment by the strike of moulders; and I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 5th November to a question asked by the hon. Member for Newton. Apart from the payment of out-of-work donation or unemployment benefit, the Ministry of Labour has taken no further steps.