§ 66. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Labour how many partially incapacitated men are receiving unemployment pay who should be dealt with by employers under Section 16 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923; and whether any of these cases have been inquired into, and, if so, with what result?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI have not the figures asked for, and I am afraid that it would be impracticable to obtain them. Every applicant for benefit has to prove that he is capable of and available for work, and if he fails to satisfy this condition, benefit is not allowed.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the Minister not aware that under Section 16 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, when an individual who is partially incapacitated fails to obtain work, compensation money should be paid, but these men are receiving out-of-work pay instead of compensation?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI can assure the hon. Member that I have studied very carefully the Section of the Act in question. I think what the hon. Member has in mind is that the Unemployment Fund may be carrying a certain number of men who should be employed by the employers. Provided the men are capable of working and fulfil the other conditions for benefit, I cannot prevent them from getting benefit. The initiative under Section 16 of the Act, to which the hon. Member refers, really lies with the workers and not with me.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the Minister not aware that if these men are entitled to unemployment pay, they were previously entitled to compensation, and that employers are taking undue advantage of the Unemployment Fund to get away from their responsibilities, and will he undertake to examine some of the cases?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am not sure that we can necessarily draw that conclusion. If the hon. Member wishes to discuss the matter with me afterwards, I shall be very glad to do so.