§ 39. Lieut.-Colonel NALLasked the Minister of Labour whether able-bodied spinsters are allowed to draw unemployment benefit whilst vacancies in domestic 1745 service are available; and what steps are taken to prevent women and girls drawing benefit after refusing a situation?
§ Sir M. BARLOWBenefit is only paid to women who are normally employed otherwise than in private domestic service. Further, such women who are suitable for, and who refuse, domestic service are not granted benefit. In administering these rules the Exchanges can, of course, only act upon the facts as ascertained by them; but I may point out that in dealing with uncovenanted benefit the local employment committees commonly require applicants to show what efforts they have made to find employment, and in a number of cases benefit has been refused on the general ground that the applicants could, if they chose, obtain employment in domestic service.
Viscountess ASTORWould the hon. Gentleman explain to the House that these women cannot be taken into domestic service unless they are trained? [HON. MEMBRHS: "Oh!"] If hon. Members knew anything about it, they would know that.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is now giving information.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs there any evidence of truth in these continual libels on a decent body of citizens?
§ Mr. W. THORNEIf domestic service were made more humane, would not more girls go into it?