82. Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Labour what is the number of persons who have become ineligible for any further unemployment pay in consequence of their having been convicted of fraud in connection with the unemployment benefit during the years 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThere is no provision in the Unemployment Insurance Acts disqualifying a person for unemployment benefit on the specific ground that he has previously been convicted of fraud in connection therewith. Such a conviction can, therefore, be taken into account only in so far as it may have a bearing on the question whether the conditions expressly laid down by the Acts are fulfilled. I have no figures showing whether any persons convicted of fraud have, in fact, drawn benefit subsequently.
Sir F. HALLIs it to be understood that, no matter how many times a man is convicted of fraud in obtaining unemployment benefit, nevertheless he can continue after a certain period to draw more? I am asking the hon. Gentleman if that is to be understood to be the law.
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo. The hon. and gallant Gentleman is under a misapprehension. The Minister of Labour has to 1707 give effect to the statutory requirements set out in the Act. This is one. Whatever the views of the Minister may be one way or another, he cannot take them into consideration.