§ 34. Mr. LOOKERasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that professional footballers can draw unemployment pay during the summer when they receive no retaining fee between the seasons or happen to be temporarily unengaged, on the ground that their occupation has ceased during that period, without being under an obligation to seek for work; and will he cause inquiries to be made into the matter?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIt is a condition for the receipt of unemployment benefit that the applicant must show that he is genuinely seeking work. This condition is statutory, and it is not waived, nor, in fact, is there any power to waive it in any circumstances whatever. My hon. Friend has furnished me with particulars of an individual case which he has in mind, and I will communicate with him regarding it.
§ Mr. LOOKERAre we to understand from my right hon. Friend that the principle that professional players of games are entitled to unemployment benefit in the off-season is recognised by his Department?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI do not make any such assumption whatsoever.
Mr. BECKETTCan the right hon. Gentleman give any definition at all of what "genuinely seeking work" really means?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIf the hon. Member will consult the Report of the Blanesburgh Committee, he will see that the question is there gone into at some considerable length.