§ 94. Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the manager of Messrs. Cook, Welton, and Gemmell, of the shipyard at Beverley, has been preventing men from claiming unemployment benefit; that the firm stopped on Wednesday, 18th March, and when the men made an application for their cards the manager refused to hared them over and informed the men that work would be commenced on Wednesday, 26th March; that when the men presented themselves for work on that date it was found that the driving engine was under repairs and that the furnaces were not in such a condition to allow the men to start work; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?
Mr. ROBERTSONI have made inquiries into this case. I am informed that the firm closed down on 19th March for the Easter holidays, intending to resume on 26th March. The firm state that by agreement with the men they kept the unemployment books, as the stoppage was considered simply a suspension for the holidays. Owing to a breakdown in the machinery the firm were unable to resume work on 26th March, and I am informed that when the firm ascertained on that date that work could not proceed the books were handed out to the men applying. Some claims to benefit were made by employés of this firm on the 26th, and over 100 claims were received on 9th April. No complaints have been received by the 1929 Board of Trade in the matter, and in these circumstances no action appears to be necessary. I take this opportunity, however, of stating that in all cases of suspension of work the workmen are entitled to claim the return of their unemployment books if they so desire.