§ 51. Mr. T. KENNEDYasked the Minister of Labour if there are any cases of workers who are being paid unemployment benefit to which they are not entitled under the existing regulations; and, if so, will he state the numbers?
Sir A.STEELMAITLANDBenefit is not paid in any case where, according to the facts as known to the Department, the claimant is not entitled to it.
§ Mr. KENNEDYCan the right hon. Gentleman explain the ground of the sustained propaganda which has been going on during recent months in regard to the administration of the unemployment insurance fund, particularly in certain newspapers and certain quarters of the House?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDNo, Sir. I do not know to which newspapers the hon. Member refers because it has been criticisd from both sides with almost the same acerbity.
54. Mr. BECKETTasked the Minister of Labour what is the total number of insured workers; and what is the number convicted of wrongly obtaining insurance benefit since 1st November, 1924?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe total number of persons in Great Britain insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts is estimated at 11,256,000. The number of persons convicted after prosecution between the 1st November, 1924, and the 31st March, 1925, on charges of knowingly making false representations for the purpose of obtaining unemployment benefit was 757. In a further 72 cases the defendant was bound over or admonished.
Mr. BECKETTIn view of these figures, will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence to stop the practice of suggesting that there is a general habit on the part of the unemployed of wrongfully obtaining benefit?
§ Mr. J. H. THOMASWill the right hon. Gentleman ascertain how this return compares with the number of prosecutions for false Income Tax returns?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question would be for another Minister.