80. Colonel THORNEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that, on the 4th February Mr. E. F. Steward claimed donation benefit at the Norwich Labour Exchange; that he was offered employment at the Norfolk war hospital at 10d. per hour, which he refused on the ground that the Norwich and district rate for unskilled workers is 1s. 0½d. per hour; if he is aware that the Umpire has disallowed his claim for donation benefit, and if he will take action in the matter?
§ Sir R. HORNEI find that the facts are not fully given in the question. It is true that Mr. Steward refused an offer of work as a fitter's mate at a war hospital near Norwich, but this was not the ground on which his unemployment donation was disallowed. The fact which led to disallowance of his claim to out-of-work donation was his subsequent refusal of an offer of work as caretaker. It appears that Mr. Steward is physically incapable of work which entails much walking or exposure, and the Umpire held that in the circumstances he could not expect a rate of wages equal to that paid for more exacting work.