§ 44. Mr. O'GRADYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether W. Andrews, a bricklayer, has for the last six weeks been unable to obtain 10s. unemployment benefit due to him at the Holloway Labour Exchange; and will inquiries be made at once into the reason of this delay, and, meanwhile, instructions be given that Mr. W. Andrews be paid what money he may be entitled to under Part II. of the National Insurance Act?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. J. M. Robertson)I understand that the claim in question was the second claim made by Mr. Andrews, and that the delay in dealing with it, which I greatly regret, was due to the fact that the original claim, without which it was impossible to decide the second claim, had been mislaid. This claim has now been traced, and payment has been authorised.
§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that when a man claims at a Labour Exchange, and the claim is disputed, it sometimes takes three weeks or a month before the Labour Exchange gives a definite answer?
§ Mr. ROBERTSONIn regard to direct claims I do not think there is any such delay.
§ Mr. W. THORNEYes, there is.
§ Mr. ROBERTSONI do not know whether my hon. Friend is referring to direct claims or to claims made under Section 105 by a trade union.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWhen a claim goes to the Labour Exchange and it is disputed investigation takes place, and sometimes it is a month before a definite decision is given.
§ Mr. ROBERTSONWe are certainly doing our best to accelerate such claims. I assume that in such cases there has been an appeal to the Court of Referees.
§ Mr. O'GRADYHad the first claim anything to do with the second, and why was the man not paid in respect of the claim that was not disputed?
§ Mr. ROBERTSONThe matter could not be dealt with without the knowledge of the details of the other, the paper with regard to which had been mislaid.