HC Deb 24 July 1923 vol 167 cc226-7
70. Mr. HARBORD

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the serious amount of unemployment and general distress existing amongst the share fishermen during the past two years caused by repeated failure of the herring fishing, the Government will take the necessary steps to bring these men at the earliest possible date within the scope and benefits of the Unemployment Insurance Act?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)

I have been asked to reply. Share fishermen are excluded from unemployment insurance only if they are wholly remunerated by a share in profits or gross earnings. This exclusion was pressed upon the Department when the Act of 1920 was before Parliament. I am afraid it is not feasible to introduce the legislation which would be necessary in order to bring these fishermen into insurance and entitle them to immediate benefit.

Mr. HARBORD

Would the Government be prepared to grant facilities to a private Member who is prepared to make the necessary proposals which would enable the share fishermen to benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Act?

Mr. BETTERTON

That is obviously a question which ought not to be addressed to me, but to the Prime Minister.