§ 29. Mr. STRANGERasked the Minister of Labour why there has been no payment to an unemployed person, Cecil E. Webb, of London Road, Newbury, in respect of unemployment pay since the 13th Juno last, seeing that application was made direct to the Ministry on the 25th July; why no payment or explanation was given in answer to that application; and whether the Ministry admits that any, and, if so, what, sum is due to this man in respect of unemployment pay?
§ Mr. SHAWI am having inquiry made. I will communicate the result to the hon. Member, and will see that any payment that may be due is made without delay.
§ Mr. STRANGERCan the Minister imagine that it can take a fortnight to make inquiries of this kind? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this man has been without unemployment pay for the last two months?
§ Mr. SHAWAs far as I know, the inquiries are conducted with all possible speed, but I know that an inquiry often takes more than a fortnight before the facts can be ascertained.
§ Mr. STRANGERDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the fact that he had a letter addressed to him on the 25th July by a man who was unemployed, and cannot he give an answer within a fortnight to that letter?
§ Mr. SHAWI have given the hon. Member all the information which I can give. I have told him that the inquiry is being made, and that if any money is due it will be paid without delay. Further I cannot go.