HC Deb 30 April 1925 vol 183 cc325-7
72. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the frequent views expressed by Judges and other public men with regard to infringements, both in letter and in spirit, of the law governing the receipt of unemployment benefit; and will he consider the advisability of setting up a. committee to examine and report on the work of the agencies at present entrusted with the duty of administration?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR(Mr. Betterton)

My right hon. Friend has seen from time to time reports of such expressions of opinion from certain Metropolitan police Magistrates and others. I may add that his daily letter bag largely consists of representations, many of them from Members of this House of all parties, that benefit has been wrongly, or harshly, refused in individual cases. The whole question of unemployment insurance is occupying my right hon. Friend's close attention, both as regards current ad ministration and as regards the proposals which it will be necessary to bring before Parliament before the end of June next year, at which date, under existing legislation, payment of unemployment benefit comes to an end: but he cannot say at present whether it will be desirable to institute a formal inquiry.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the construction put upon the words "suitable employment," more especially by women, is resulting in an abuse of the unemploy ment benefit, and, if so—

Mr. SPEAKER

That is in the nature of an argument.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Oh, no! [HON. MEMBERS: "You were reading it! "] I was not reading it. I was asking, Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the construction put upon the term "suitable employment" is an abuse of the unemployment benefit? Is he prepared to make inquiry into the matter?

Mr. BETTERTON

My right hon. Friend is always ready to make inquiry into any matter relating to unemployment. He is aware that different constructions are placed on the term "suitable employment" by different people, but he is always prepared to consider any matter which is brought to his notice.

Mr. BATEY

Can the hon. Gentleman say what is the percentage of the cases of infringement compared with a large number of people who are receiving benefit?

Mr. BETTERTON

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question on the Paper.