§ 37. Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Minister of Labour whether those applying for an extension of unemployed benefit are required to sign a document undertaking to accept work, other than that to which they have been accustomed, on fair terms and conditions; and whether such an undertaking nullifies the conditions laid down in Circular U.I.A. 518, Clause 9 (a), (b) and (c) wherein unemployed persons are not expected to accept work offered to them where a stoppage of work exists or at a lower wage or less favourable conditions than that which habitually obtains in the localities in which work may be offered to them, etc.?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs already stated in the House on 17th February, the six week's extension of unemployment benefit is not to be granted to persons who are not prepared to accept on fair terms and conditions work other than that to which they have been accustomed but which they are reasonably capable of performing. This special condition does not apply to "covenanted" benefit under the permanent provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Acts, which remains governed by Section 7 of the 1920 Act, quoted in Clause 9 of the Circular U.I.A. 518 referred to by my hon. Friend.