§ 33. Mr. AYLESasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Bristol mineowners have threatened to lock out the miners in the Bristol area unless they consent to dishonour the national agreement recently come to between the mineowners of Great Britain and the Miners' Federation; and whether he will take steps to see that any men so discharged shall receive unemployment pay until such time as they are allowed to resume work?
§ Mr. SHAWI am aware that a question has arisen in the Bristol area as to the rates of wages at which the collieries shall continue working. In the event of work being suspended and the men becoming unemployed, the payment of benefit will depend upon whether the conditions as laid down by the Act are satisfied or not. I have no power to vary these conditions, and any question that may arise respecting them must be decided, as required by the Statute, by the insurance officer, subject to the usual right of appeal by the insured person or his association.
§ Mr. AYLESWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire as to whether it is possible so to alter the Statute as to make it impossible for employers to break national agreements which make men suffer as these men had to suffer?