§ 17. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the Engineering and National Employers' Federation have locked out the whole of the workers in the engineering industry; if he is aware that workmen at Accrington who, prior to 2nd May, the date when the lock-out notices operated to workmen other than members of the Amalgamated Engineering Union, were unemployed and receiving unemployment insurance benefit, had the benefit discontinued by the Employment Exchange officer after that date on the ground that they should have accepted the conditions of employment offered by the Engineering Employers' Association; and will he take action immediately to reinstate such unemployment benefit?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am making inquiries into the cases referred to by my hon. Friend, and I will let him know the result as soon as possible. I may add that the general point referred to in the question is at present receiving my consideration, and so far as I am aware benefit has not been stopped in cases of the kind referred to.