15. Mr. THOMSONasked the Minister of Labour if he is now in a position to state the composition of the ad hoc Committee which he promised to set up to inquire into the possibility of framing amending legislation whereby the innocent victims of a trade dispute should not be debarred from receiving the unemployed pay to which they had been compelled to contribute when at work?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Dr. Macnamara)The composition of the Committee is as follows:
§ Chairman:
§ Sir Thomas Munro.
§ Members:
§ Employers' side:
§ Workers' side:
§ Ministry of Labour:
And the terms of reference are—to examine the working of the trade dispute disqualification for unemployment benefit as contained in Section 87 (1) of the National Insurance Act, 1911, and Section 8 (1) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, and to consider whether any, and if so what, modifications should be made therein.
Mr. THOMSONCan the right hon. Gentleman encourage the Committee to meet promptly, so that if legislation be recommended, it can take place without delay?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI said when I promised the Committee that it was very doubtful indeed whether it could deal with such a complicated question in such a way as to make it possible for us to legislate this Session.