22. Mr. MAC MASTERasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether a number of unemployed workmen entitled to benefits under the National Insurance Act were delayed at the Labour Exchange at Woking in obtaining their benefits, and that a number of men so entitled had deposited their cards at the Labour Exchange on the 8th of January instant, where they were accepted and forwarded to head-quarters for instructions; whether he is aware that these cards were not returned to the Labour Exchange at Woking until the 22nd of January on the alleged ground that the cards were not signed, and that the men were then informed that they could not receive payment until the 31st of January instant, thus occasioning inconvenience, and, in some cases, suffering to insured persons and their families entitled to benefits under the Act; and will he say what steps he proposes to take to prevent such delays?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. J. M. Robertson)Owing to the great pressure of work in connection with the first payments of benefit, there has been a certain amount of inevitable delay in adjusting questions arising out of claims. Instructions have, however, been issued to all local officers, which will, I hope, prevent any repetition of such cases as those referred to in the question by securing that the men sign their books at the time when the claims are first made. I may add that the signature of the book is absolutely necessary in order to verify the signature on the claim for benefit.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIs it true, as stated in the question, that the men were informed that they could not receive payment till 31st January, and was the money, in fact, not available?
§ Mr. ROBERTSONI have stated that there was inevitable delay in regard to the first rush of cases. I am not sure as to the exact dates, but we do not desire to deny that there was a little delay at the outset.
§ Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEWill the hon. Gentleman take steps to prevent such delay in future?
§ Mr. ROBERTSONThe words of the answer are: "Instructions have, however, been issued to the local officers which will, I hope, prevent any repetition of such cases."
35. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked the President of the Board of Trade, if he will state who adjudicated on the application of R. G. L. (whose full name and address have been forwarded), an insured painter, for unemployed pay; whether, before the decision to refuse benefit on the ground that he had lost his employment through misconduct, he was given an opportunity of stating the facts of the case; whether the facts show that the misconduct consisted of wasting about two minutes of time talking with a mate; and what was the previous character and record of the man in question?
§ Mr. ROBERTSONThe claim to unemployment benefit to which the hon. Member refers was, in accordance with Section 88 (1) of the National Insurance Act, referred to one of the insurance officers appointed for this purpose, and "was disallowed by him. The workman was duly informed that it was open to him to require his case to be referred to a Court of Referees, who, had he done so, would have gone fully into the matter. He has not yet adopted this course, and I am therefore unable to supply any further information with regard to the merits of the case.
§ Mr. ROBERTSONYes; a form is given for that purpose.