HC Deb 04 July 1923 vol 166 cc420-1
26. Mr. J. JONES

asked the Minister of Labour whether in certain areas great difficulty is experienced, owing to the prevalence of unemployment, in obtaining workers' representation on the rota committees attached to Employment Exchanges; and whether, in the circumstances, he will suspend the Regulation under which unemployed persons are debarred from membership of these committees?

29. Mr. F. ROBERTS

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that in certain districts it is impossible, owing to the severe unemployment, to obtain representatives of the workers on the unemployment rota committees; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Sir M. BARLOW

I am not aware that any very serious difficulty is being experienced at the present time in obtaining workers' representatives on local employment committees rotas, owing to the rule that persons who are themselves in receipt of unemployment benefit should not be called upon to adjudicate on claims made by others. I am still of opinion that the rule should be maintained.

Mr. J. JONES

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that in certain districts it is rather difficult to get people to take on these jobs, while there are men who are unemployed who are prepared to act and are quite capable of so doing?

Sir M. BARLOW

It has not been brought to my attention that there is any difficulty in getting properly qualified workers to take these posts.