§ 67. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the practice adopted by employers at the docks, and in the building and other trades employing workpeople casually, of refusing to take on men unless their insurance cards are stamped with the full amount payable both by employer and workmen, the result being that many men stamp the cards and get no work, and others through inability to find the sevenpence are also precluded from obtaining work; and whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce such legislation for amending the Act as will ensure that no contributions shall be payable until a full week's money has been earned?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for South-West Manchester. The Commissioners are making careful inquiries into the working of the Act as it affects casual labour. They find that the practice referred to in the question is not at all general, but they will be glad to make inquiry into any specific cases that are brought to their notice.
§ Mr. LANSBURYArising out of that answer, may I ask whether the Commissioners will specifically inquire into the building trade and the conditions which obtain at the docks in and around London, and also whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the London County Council are at this moment asking a woman who casually earned 7½d. for some work done for the Council to pay 3d. for Insurance out of it?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI know nothing about the last part of the hon. Gentleman's question. Perhaps he will give me notice. My inspectors are inquiring specially at the London docks, and I shall be very glad if any information can be given on the subject. If there is anything worthy of the attention of the House, I shall then be able to report to the House on the whole subject.