HC Deb 09 April 1913 vol 51 cc1174-5
83. Mr. O'GRADY

asked whether secretaries of trade union branches have had their claim to unemployment benefit under Part II. of the National Insurance Act contested by Labour Exchange officials on the ground that such secretaries are receiving a remuneration or profit greater than that they would derive from the receipt of unemployment benefit under the Act; and, if so, will he state whether Labour Exchange officials have been instructed not to pay benefit under these circumstances?

Mr. ROBERTSON

It is provided by Section 107 (1), paragraph 5, that "a workman shall not be deemed to be unemployed whilst he is following any remunerative occupation in an insured trade, or … any other occupation from which he derives any other remuneration or profit greater than that which he would derive from the receipt of unemployment benefit under this part of this Act." I have no information as to the particular cases which my hon. Friend has in mind, so that I am unable to say if the trade union secretaries referred to are covered by the provision I have quoted.