§ 26. Mr. BARNESasked the Minister of Labour the number of persons refused uncovenanted benefit in East Ham on the grounds that they are not genuinely seeking whole-time employment?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe number of persons in the area of the East Ham Local Employment Committee whose claims to uncovenanted benefit have been refused in the Fourth Special Period, from 2nd November, 1922, to 27th July, 1923, on the ground that they were not genuinely seeking whole-time employment, was 1,547 (men, 1,502, and women, 45).
§ Mr. BARNESCan the hon. Gentleman state what evidence has been submitted to show that 1,500 persons in one borough are not genuinely seeking whole-time employment, and, if the local committee's decision is final, will an appeal be afforded?
§ Mr. BETTERTONAs the hon. Member must realise, it is quite impossible for me to say what evidence has been 1451 given to the local committee with regard to the 1,500 cases. The Minister of Labour, unless there is very great reason to doubt it, almost invariably accepts the decision of the local committee, who have all the facts before them.
§ Mr. MARCHHas the applicant the right, after the committee's decision, to appeal to the Minister of Labour for an Umpire?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo, not to the Umpire.