§ 81. Mr. R. MACDONALDasked the Minister of Labour whether he has any intention of bringing the boot and shoe trade under a scheme of compulsory unemployment insurance; and, if he has, whether he proposes to consult the council of the boot and shoe operatives before committing himself to new legislation?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Bridgeman)There is no intention to deal specially with the boot and shoe trade with a view to bringing it under a compulsory scheme of unemployment insurance. The question of making further provision against unemployment generally, is, however, one of the matters under consideration by the Labour Resettlement Committee which, as the hon. Gentleman is aware, was recently constituted to advise the Minister of Labour in connection with the general problems of resettlement, and which includes representatives of employers and workpeople in the boot and shoe trade. My right hon. Friend has not yet received the recommendations of the Committee on this subject, but should it prove necessary to extend or modify the present scheme of compulsory unemployment insurance steps will be taken, as far as practicable, to ascertain the views of the associations of employers and workpeople concerned before definite proposals are brought forward.