HC Deb 27 January 1913 vol 47 cc959-60
17. Mr. JOHN WARD

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements will be made to enable navvies living and working in large numbers upon isolated public works, many miles from the ordinary local Labour Exchanges, to call on the Unemployed Fund and report them- selves daily as required by the Regulations; and what arrangement does his Department make to deal with this class of workmen when on tramp in search of work so far as the payment of their unemployed benefit is concerned?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. J. M. Robertson)

It has been arranged that workmen residing between five and eight miles from the nearest local office of the Unemployment Fund should only be required to sign the Unemployed Register once a week. Workmen residing at a greater distance than eight miles are excused signature. In both cases such workmen are required to produce a certificate proving that they have been unemployed during the days on which they have been so excused. It is open to a man travelling in search of work to specify any local office as the office at which he desires his benefit to be paid.

Mr. J. WARD

Will the hon. Gentleman say who is to supply the certificate to the men in a case where the employer has gone out of business?

Mr. ROBERTSON

I will inquire.