§ 30. Mr. HAILWOODasked the Minister of Labour whether the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, requires workers to have at least 20 health stamps on their cards for last year; if he is aware that many through sickness have not the requisite number of stamps on their cards and are precluded from receiving any out-of-work pay; and can he remedy this difficulty?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Dr. Macnamara)There is no such condition in the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, but one of the conditions for the receipt of benefit under Section 3 of the Act of 1921 is that persons—other than those formerly engaged in War service—must prove employment in an insurable occupation in at least 20 weeks since the 31st December, 1919. There is no provision under which this condition can be waived, and I have no power to authorise payment of benefit otherwise than in accordance with the terms of the Act.