§ 19. Mr. BATEYasked the Minister of Labour the number of miners in Durham County who have applied for unemployment insurance benefit and been refused since 31st July, 1925?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI regret that I am unable to furnish this information, as the statistics of claims to benefit do not distinguish between the various industries or occupations.
§ Mr. BATEYBut last year the right hon. Gentleman supplied the same information, and how could he do it last year if he cannot do it this year?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDif I am right, this was not exactly what I supplied last year, when I made certain quite special arrangements—if I am right in remembering it—in order to find out how particular industries were affected. I am speaking from memory and, therefore, subject to correction, but in the ordinary course we do not tabulate these claims by occupation, and if we were to do so, it would mean such an, amount of extra staff that I could not promise to undertake it.
§ 20. Mr. HAYESasked the Minister of Labour whether he will inquire into the case of Miss Agnes Doyle, of 11, West-bourne Street, Liverpool, who was refused unemployment benefit from 16th January, 1926, on the ground that she was not genuinely seeking work because she opposed the suggestion that she should go into domestic service; and, in view of the fact that Miss Doyle had for four years prior to the 15th January been employed as a waitress at the Bon Marche, Liverpool, that her employment ceased through no fault of her own, that her widowed and ailing mother is 72 years of age and utterly incapable of looking after the home, and that Miss Doyle has since obtained temporary employment as a half-day waitress, will he cause the decision not to grant unemployment benefit to be reviewed?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe disallowance of benefit in this case was confirmed by the Court of Referees. As, however, the case raises somewhat difficult questions as to the right to benefit, the Chief Insurance Officer is referring it to the Umpire for an authoritative decision.
§ Mr. HAYESWill the right hon. Gentleman now note that further information has come to hand that this particular girl is again unemployed, and that the need for benefit is, therefore, more urgent than it was before?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDYes.
§ 25. Miss WILKINSONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Oswald Gray, of 15, Taylor Street, Middlesbrough, an ex-service man, was refused employment as a cleaner at the Middlesbrough Post Office on the ground that he had an artificial foot, and that he has been refused his benefit, on the ground of not genuinely seeking work; and whether, in view of the difficulty of so injured a man getting work, he will make special inquiries into the case?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am having inquiries made, and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.