HC Deb 28 July 1919 vol 118 cc1820-1
76. Major NEWMAN

asked the Minister J of Labour whether the taxpayer is liable to provide out-of-work duration for those who are temporarily out of work owing to the refusal of other workers to remain at their employment; and, if so, what is the present amount per week of the donation?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Robert Home)

The general rule is that a work man thrown out of work by a trade dispute at the premises where he is employed is disqualified for the receipt of donation, even if he himself be not a party to the dispute. But the disqualification does not apply to workpeople whose work has temporarily ceased owing to a trade dispute elsewhere. In this respect the rules governing out-of-work donation follow the statutory provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Acts in relation to the payment of unemployment benefit.

The amount of donation made during the last four weeks is as follows:

For the week ended Total payments
26th Jun … … £823,657
3rd July … … 819,846
10th July … … 739,208
17th July … … 647,168
I have not yet received the return covering the period of the coal strike in York shire.

79. Lieut.-Colonel MALONE

asked the chief Secretary for Ireland whether the recruiting clerks in Ireland are eligible for the out of work donation; whether this question is still being considered by the Ministry of Labour; and whether he is aware that these men were disbanded at the Armistice without any compensation, so that their position is one of great hard ship.

Sir R. HORNE

I have been asked to reply to this question. It has been decided, after careful consideration, that there is not sufficient ground for extending out of-work donation to the persons referred to by the hon. and gallant Member.

Lieut. - Commander KEN WORTHY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that several very respectable men are in great distress in Ireland owing to the refusal of this donation, and, if he cannot see his way to grant the out-of-work donation, will he consider some compensation being paid to them in view of the hardships'?

Sir R. HORNE

It may be that there arc several respectable people in Ireland suffering at the present time, but I am afraid that that does not arise out of the question.