§ 35. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Joseph Pilne, who was recently deported from Glasgow to Russia as an undesir- 1356 (1) how many persons were employed in the lace industry at any convenient date in January and October of this year; and whether he can give similar figures for the motor car and the watch and clock industries;
(2) how many persons were employed in the glove, hollow-ware and gas mantle industries at any convenient date in January and October of this year?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe number of person? insured in each industrial group is calculated once a year, in respect of July and only for certain industrial groups. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures so calculated in respect of July, 1924, and July, 1925, in respect of the industrial group described as "Construction and Repair of Motor Vehicles, Cycles and Aircraft," and the lace industry. The table also includes the numbers recorded as unemployed in these groups, as these are included in the total attributed as insured in the group. Figures are not available separately for the watch and clock, glove, hollow-ware, and gas mantle industries.
§ Mr. HANNONIs it not the fact that the number of unemployed persons in Coventry is much lower than it was in 1913?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am afraid that I cannot answer that question from memory, but if the hon. Member wishes to put down a question I will answer it.
§ Following are the figures promised:
§ able alien, had been for two years prior to his deportation in receipt of 29s. a week unemployment donation; whether he will inform the House of the circumstances in which the large sum of money 1357 involved by. the above payments was made; and whether he will take steps to prevent grants from the Unemployment Insurance Fund being made to undesirable aliens of this kind in future?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. This alien had been resident in this country for 25 years and appeared to have a good record of work. There was no reason known to the Department disqualifying him for benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Acts. As my hon. Friend is probably aware, aliens with at least 10 years' residence in this country are eligible for extended benefit under the ordinary rules and I do not think it would be right to go beyond this.
§ Sir W. DAVISONAm I to understand that this man had received benefit but had not paid his proper contributions to warrant it?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDAs far as my inquiries have been able to go, he distinctly paid contributions and he then received benefit. I have not been able to trace the whole history of the case in detail, but he did receive extended benefit as well. He had been a payer of contributions for some time. I can only look at what I call the industrial side of the question.