1. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the remarks made by the magistrate in connection with the proceedings taken recently 1408 against a man for making a false declaration when applying for unemployment benefit; and if he will state whether any alteration has since been made in the precautions taken to prevent frauds of this kind?
§ Major Sir GEORGE HENNESSY (Vice-Chamberlain of the Household)I have been asked to reply. Reports have appeared in the Press of the case which my hon. and gallant. Friend apparently has in mind. The case was one in which a claimant for benefit, who had stated that he had applied for an old age pension, denied that he was actually in receipt of one, though repeatedly questioned on the subject. The instructions are that in such circumstances the facts should be ascertained from the old age pensions office, and it is regretted that in the present case these instructions do not appear to have been carried out.
25. Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the recent conviction of two men, members of a Bethnal Green gang of warehouse and shop thieves, who, at the time of their conviction, were drawing unemployment pay and also receiving relief from the local guardians; whether, in order to prevent this form of fraud, the guardians are furnished with particulars of persons within their jurisdiction who are receiving unemployment pay; and if he will state whether the two men in question will be treated as entitled to receive unemployment benefit again when they come out of gaol?
§ Sir G. HENNESSYInquiries are being made as regards the case referred to in the question. Generally, I may say that arrangements have been made for co-operation between the Employment Exchanges and boards of guardians, and for supplying the latter with information as to the payment of unemployment benefit in the particular cases specified by them. The question whether the two men mentioned by my hon. Friend will be eligible for unemployment benefit after serving their sentences will depend on the decision of the statutory authorities to whom any claim that the men may make will be referred.