HC Deb 18 November 1925 vol 188 c379
68. Mr. W. BAKER

asked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1925, came into force on 1st October, 1925, he will state why men who registered as unemployed prior to that date were compelled to serve six full waiting days before being accepted as eligible for unemployment benefit?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The only persons claiming benefit before the end of September who had to serve a six-day waiting period were those who had not served a three-day waiting period by the 30th September. The requirement of a six-day waiting period in their case is contained in the Act of 1925, and I have no power to dispense with it.

Mr. BAKER

Is a man not entitled, having signed on for unemployment benefit before the end of September, to the conditions which were legal at that time?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

No, Sir.