§ 24. Mr. HARDIEasked the Minister of Labour whether he will give instructions to all rota members and officials that any statement given by an employer shall be read over to the applicant?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI have no reason to suppose that if there is, in connection with a claim for extended benefit, a statement by an employer, which has any material bearing on the point at issue, the statement is not already communicated to the applicant; but I will consider whether an express instruction should be issued.
§ Mr. HARDIEMay I strengthen the consideration of the Minister by asking 2205 if he is not aware that in four Exchanges in Glasgow, to my knowledge, complaints are there established that the reading of these statements is not the case?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDPerhaps the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. Under the Statute the statements of an employer have to be made in the first place to an insurance officer, and then, naturally, they would go to the applicant. That would be the normal course for a statement by an employer. If there is any reason to believe that they should go before a local committee, perhaps the hon. Member will give me the cases, and I will gladly look into them.
§ Mr. MACKINDERIs it not a fact that sometimes the employers make their statements in person and not in writing?