HC Deb 13 February 1924 vol 169 c837
6. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSON

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received any Report from the Committee appointed by his predecessor to inquire into the question of amending the law which prohibits the payment of unemployment benefit to insured persons thrown out of work on account of a trade dispute to which they are not parties?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Mr. Thomas Shaw)

A report has not yet been received. The Committee has for some time not been sitting. I have asked them to recommence their sittings, and they are meeting, I understand, to-day. I hope their report will be presented at a very early date.

Mr. THOMSON

In view of the continued and repeated delay by this Committee, will the right hon. Gentleman take action himself if the delay continues to a large extent?

Mr. SHAW

If I find that there is any deliberate attempt to delay the report—which I do not suspect in the least—then I might deal with it, but I think that the Committee is acting in good faith and will present an early report.