§ 29. Mr. HANNONasked the Minister of Labour whether any statistics are available to show the number of women at present in receipt of unemployment benefit who had not completed their eighteenth year in December, 1918; and the number of such women who have not been in actual employment in the trade under which they are registered for more than six months?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Mr. Shaw)Statistics of the ages of persons in receipt of unemployment benefit are not regularly compiled by my Department. Special investigations, made at the end of last year, indicate, however, that about 40 per cent. of women claimants to benefit were then between the ages of 18 and 23, and would, therefore, be, in 1918, under the age of 18. I am unable to state the number who have not been more than six months in the trade under which they are registered.
§ 31. Mr. HANNONasked the Minister of Labour whether women registered as unemployed, who undergo the home-training courses promoted and extended with Government assistance through the central committees on women's training and employment, are in receipt of unemployment benefit during the time of training; and whether there are any obligations upon the students attending these courses in regard to the class of occupation for which they are registered?
§ Mr. SHAWWomen attending these courses do not receive unemployment benefit during training. They receive a maintenance allowance from the central committee on women's training and employment. No undertaking is required as to the future employment which persons trained will follow, but the fact that they have received training is taken into account in deciding what is suitable employment for them, should they subsequently claim unemployment benefit.