§ 33. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mr. W. H. Clarke, 357, Church Road, St. George, Bristol, has been refused unemployment benefit in spite of the fact that the local rota committee recommended that benefit should be granted; whether he will state on what further evidence the decision of the rota committee was upset; and whether he will take steps to secure that benefit will be paid?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI understand that Mr. Clarke, who is a young and able-bodied man, did no work of any kind during the year 1924. I am not satisfied that he complies with the condition laid down by the Act requiring him to show that he had had as much insurable employment during the preceding two years as was reasonable, having regard to all the circumstances of his case. I regret, therefore, that notwithstanding the recommendation of the committee I am unable to allow benefit.
§ Mr. BAKERIs it not a fact there are large numbers of men in Bristol who have had no employment for more than two years, and it is impossible for a man to secure such employment? Is it not a fact that the Ministry have admitted in a letter to me that all a man could hope to secure would be a little employment? In those circumstances, what is the good of having a committee if their decisions are overridden?
§ Mr. BETTERTONWith regard to the letter to which the hon. Member refers, I do not carry the particular facts in my mind. Every possible consideration has been given to the case raised by the hon. Member, and the Ministry are unable, even if they wished, to disregard the responsibility which is placed upon them by the Act of 1924.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODAre the Ministry not aware of the fact that the rota committee are a voluntary committee rendering services without any remuneration, and are their decisions to be turned down in this way?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe number of cases in which the decision of the rota committee is turned down is, in relation to the whole number, very small. At the same time the Ministry are bound to take into account the responsibility which has been placed upon them by the Statute.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not the law that when the rota committee recommend an applicant for unemployment benefit he should receive that benefit, and when the officers take exception the case must go to the court of referees or to the umpire? Was that particular procedure observed in this particular case?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo. This was not an umpire case. This was a case under Section 1, Sub-section (3) of the Act, which leaves the decision in the hands of the Minister.
§ Mr. MACLEANBut the Act expressly states, irrespective of the kind of case, that where the rota committee recommend an applicant and the officers disagree with that recommendation, it must go to the court of referees and to the umpire. Have you followed the Act?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension. This is one of those cases in which the final decision rests with the Minister.
§ Mr. MACLEANMy Amendment was carried.
§ Mr. BUCHANANAs this man can only be disqualified because, owing to his age, he is not able to secure work, is the hon. Gentleman aware that this man is able to work at his trade, and is as good a citizen as any hon. Member of this House, and if this man is disqualified with his long record of good service and good work on behalf of the country—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is making a speech.
§ 34. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mr. Herbert Messenger, 31, Sloan Street, Whitehall, Bristol, has been refused unemployment benefit in spite of the fact that the local rota committee recommended that benefit should be granted; whether he will state on what further evidence the decision of the committee was upset; whether he is aware that Mr. 1512 Messenger is aged 62 years, has been a boilermaker for 33 years, and has made repeated applications for relief work; and whether he will take steps to secure that benefit will be paid?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI understand that Mr. Messenger has done no work since 1922. Having regard to all the circumstances, I am unable to regard him as satisfying the condition laid down by the Act, requiring him to show that he has, during the past two years, had as much insurable employment as was reasonable. I regret, therefore, that notwithstanding the committee's recommendation I cannot allow benefit.
§ Mr. BAKERWhat opportunity is there for a man following this trade to secure work in Bristol at present?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI have made inquiries on that very point, and I have been told that there were other applicants whose age was greater than this particular man's, whose record with regard to employment has been much more consistent and satisfactory.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member cannot debate this matter now.