§ 60. Sir W. SUGDENasked the Minister of Labour why instructions have been issued to his officers at the Hartlepools to refuse the claim of Stan Burrows, who was employed for 25 years by one firm there in one unbroken service, and who, on the presumption of the early commencement of restarting of such works where he had been employed and which were now closed, informed the committee of his purpose to await the reopening of such works, and thereafter produced proof that he had unsuccessfully applied to every firm available in the, locality and county for work without success?
§ Mr. BETTERTONMr. Burrows stated to a rota committee in August last, after he had drawn standard benefit for six months, that he had not made any effort whatever to find employment as he was waiting for his old firm to reopen. In these circumstances his claim was properly refused on the statutory ground that he failed to show that he was making reasonable efforts to obtain work. The firm in question has not yet restarted operations, and Mr. Burrows has stated that since his claim was disallowed he has looked for other work.
§ Sir W. SUGDENIs it not a fact that this gentleman has applied to every known employer in his own industry to obtain work, and bus so reported to the rota committee, and that the report furnished to the hon. Gentleman is not entirely accurate, and that this man is penalised unjustly?
§ Mr. BETTERTONIf my hon. Friend's question is whether I am aware that the report is inaccurate, I am certainly not aware of any such thing.
§ Sir W. SUGDENBut it is.