28 and 30. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) why unemployment benefit has not yet been paid to A. E. Simm, who registered at the Colchester Labour Exchange on the 20th February and did not obtain the promise of re-employment until the 31st of March, and whose re-employment is jeopardised by the retention of his card, and whether any explanation can be given of the delay; and (2) why the unemployed insurance card belonging to A. E. Simm, painter's labourer, lodged on 20th February, at the Colchester Labour Exchange, though applied for personally and in writing on and since 19th March, was not returned by the 30th March, on the ground that it had been sent to London; and whether compensation will be paid to Simm for loss of time in endeavouring to recover it, and for loss of wages if further loss of work is caused, as seems likely by his being unable to produce it?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. J. M. Robertson)I understand that Mr. Simm lodged his claim to benefit on the 20th February, but that owing to the pressure of work at this time caused by the return to the Divisional Office of many thousands of claims the period of validity of which had expired, the claim was, by an error which I much regret, filed away. It has since been traced and Mr. Simm was duly paid last week. There does not appear to be any question of Mr. Simm's employment having been jeopardised by the non-return to him of his unemployment book. Mr. Simm was placed in employment through the Labour Exchange on the 19th March, and I understand that he is still in that employment. In view of the fact that his permanent unemployment book was not available at the local office a temporary book was sent to him.
29. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked the nature of the misconduct alleged against G. R. Abbot by reason of which unemployment benefit is refused by the Dundee Labour Exchange, and how soon after the 1st February, when unemployment benefit was applied for, was this decision given; and why it has taken twelve days to ascertain that the refusal of unemployed benefit is due to this cause?
§ Mr. ROBERTSONThe grounds upon which Mr. Abbot's claim was disallowed have already been communicated to him. He applied for unemployment benefit on 5th February, and not on the 1st, as stated by the hon. Member, and the decision notifying him of the fact that benefit had been disallowed was forwarded to the Labour Exchange on 26th February. I may add that the improved methods which have recently been adopted will, I hope, greatly reduce the possibility of the recurrence of the occasional delays which have inevitably occurred in the earlier stages of dealing with claims. As regards the delay in obtaining the information asked for by the hon. Member on 19th March, I would point out that it was necessary to make inquiries in Scotland to obtain the desired information, and that the Easter holidays intervened.