§ 20. Mr. WILSON-FOXasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the number of persons who are in receipt of unemployment pay in Ireland, and the approximate amount which is being paid out weekly to such persons?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Wardle)The number of persons in receipt of out, of-work donation in Ireland during the first week in February was approximately 82,500, and the amount paid approximately £110,000.
§ 21. Colonel YATEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the number of un employment donations now being paid in Ireland; by whom these donations are granted; and what, check there is to ensure the proper grant of such donations?
§ Mr. WARDLEOn 31st January, the latest date for which complete figures are available, the number of out-of-work donation policies lodged for payment in Ireland wan 59,093. Details of the scheme under which this donation is administered are given in a published leaflet, of which I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend.
§ Colonel YATEHas the hon. Gentleman's attention been called to an article in this morning's papers regarding the demoralisation of Ireland, and will be answer the last part of the question and say what checks there are on the improper grant of these allowances?
§ Mr. WARDLEI have not seen the article to which my hon. Friend refers. I will make inquiries, as I will do with regard to the last part of the question.
§ Colonel YATEAre there no checks then?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe same checks as there are in this country.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there are at this moment a very large number of persons receiving these donations who have no right whatever to receive them?
§ Mr. WARDLEIf there are such cases and particulars are sent to me, I will have inquiries made at once.
§ Captain REDMONDDoes not the same fact apply to England?
§ Mr. DEVLINMay I ask whether it does not apply much more to Scotland?
§ Mr. WARDLEI am prepared to give the same answer to both questions.
36 Lieutenant-Colonel GUINNESSasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the alleged practice among Dublin dock labourers of ceasing work at a given time daily to go and draw their out-of-work donation?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe practice referred to in the question would render those, who adopted it liable to prosecution for obtaining money by false pretences, and I am not aware that it exists. I shall be, glad if my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with any particulars in his possession, in order that inquiries may be made.
Lieutenant-Colonel GUINNESSIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that sufficient inquiries are made in individual eases to place obstacles in the way of such malpractices?
§ Mr. WARDLEAs far as I know they are.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill the hon. Gentleman, let the military forces in Ireland look after this matter?
37. Lieutenant-Colonel GUINNESSasked the Minister of Labour the amount expended in out-of-work donation in Ireland during the first week in February?
§ Mr. WARDLEComplete returns of the amount paid in out-of-work donation in Ireland during the first week in February are not yet available, but it is estimated that the amount was £110,000.
38. Lieutenant-Colonel GUINNESSasked the Minister of Labour whether the Form U.I. 85 which sent out to verify the claims of those applying for an out-of-work donation states that, if the recipient considers the circumstances under which the claimant left were not any ground for disqualification, the form need not be returned; whether in Ireland these forms are often sent at the direction of the applicant, not to the late employer but to a foreman, or ever a friend of the applicant, in whose employment he has never been; and whether he will take steps to 255 alter the form and to ensure that its non-return is no longer to be considered as sufficient evidence that there is adequate reason for unemployment?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe Form U.I.85 is in substantially the same terms as that which has been used for the last seven years in connection with unemployment benefit under the Insurance Acts, and contains the statement referred to in the first part of the question. An applicant for out-of-work donation is required to give the name and address of his last employer, and Form U.I.85 is sent to the employer so named. If my hen. and gallant Friend is aware of any case in which an applicant has fraudulently given in. correct information with regard to his previous employer in order to obtain donation, I shall be glad if he will give me particulars so that a prosecution may be instituted. The question of revising the form is under consideration, but my hon. and gallant Friend will recognise that it would not be just to deprive a workman of donation merely on the ground that his last employer has failed to answer questions concerning him.
Lieutenant-Colonel GUINNESSWill the hon. Gentleman anyhow leave out this direct invitation to employers not to return the form, as it is often sent out by the agency in Ireland with these words underlined in red?
§ Mr. WARDLEI will consider that.
§ 39. Mr. G. TERRELLasked the Minister of Labour the number of women now unemployed and the total weakly amount which is being paid to them for unemployed pay?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe number of women and girls unemployed at 31st January, as indicated by donation policies lodged at Employment Exchanges at that date, was 425,464, of whom 400,102 were women and 25,362 girls. It is not possible at present, without an elaborate analysis, to state the total weekly amount paid to these women and girls. The weekly rates of donation are 25s. for women and 12s. 6d. for girls, together with supplementary allowances in respect of dependent children of women over eighteen years of age at the rate of 6s. per week for the first dependent child and 3s. per week for each additional dependent child.
§ 90. Sir F. BANBURYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total sum that up to to-day has been given in Ireland to persons out of employment or said to be out of employment; and under what Statute and under what Vote this sum has been given?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe total sum paid up to 11th February in Ireland in respect of out-of-work donation is estimated at £550,000. These moneys are being provided from the Vote of Credit.