§ 26. Sir PHILIP MAGNUSasked whether, under Part II. of the Insurance Act, the opportunity of joining the Colours will be regarded as an offer of suitable employment for unemployed persons between the required limits of age; if so, whether the money so saved can be used for the relief of distress occasioned by the War; and, if not, whether the Act can now be so amended as to admit of the money being so used?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe final determination of questions with regard to claims to unemployment benefit rests with the Umpire appointed under Section 89 of the Act, and the Board of Trade cannot either anticipate or control his decision. I am disposed to think, however, that there would be cases in which having regard to all the circumstances of the workman, including his age, his family ties, and his prospects of getting industrial employment again, an opportunity of service with the Colours would be held to be an offer of suitable employment, so that its refusal would lead to a loss of unemployment benefit. I do not think that the proposal contained in the last part of the 137 question would be feasible. Any money not paid out of the fund would remain in the fund for the payment of benefit to those entitled.