§ Mr. PENNEFATHER (by Private Notice)asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the hard case of many Liverpool dock labourers, who have been reduced to a state of semi-starvation through the postponement of out-of-work pay due on Friday last, and, if so, will he take immediate steps to alleviate this distress, and to ensure that no similar delays occur in future?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have taken up by telegram the question of whether any men last Friday failed to receive any Out-of Work Donation due to them. If so, that shall at once be remedied. It may be, however, that the men in question exhausted last week what was due to them under the fourth extension of Out-of-Work Donation, or the amended Unemployment Insurance Act of last December. The Bill, which we shall immediately receive back from another place, is designed to render assistance by extending the period of benefit. And if, as I hope, it becomes law to-day, every effort will be made to commence payment at the earliest possible date.
§ Mr. SEXTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that such cases are due to the fact that, although the dock labourer may be idle four days a week, he is only entitled to draw one day at the end of the week, and then there is some difficulty in getting it? It is owing to the unfortunate conditions under which they have to apply under the Unemployment Insurance Act.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAPerhaps the hon. Member will discuss the matter with me.