§ 8. Mr. W. THORNEasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether the Insurance Commissioners had considered the question of the excessive amount of unemployment that may be expected owing to the War; and whether any allowances can be made to members of the approved societies in the matter of the arrears owing to such unemployment?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury)Arrears due to unemployment during the War will have no effect on the benefits of employed members of societies until November, 1915. As my hon. Friend is aware, Parliament has made provision this year by a Grant-in-Aid for the assistance of contributors in paying the arrears accrued up to July last. My hon. Friend's suggestion of an increase in that Grant in respect of arrears that accrue during the year ending in July, 1915, obviously could not be considered until sufficient information of the volume of unemployment during the period in question has become available.