HC Deb 04 April 1928 vol 215 cc1957-8
18. Mr. WALTER BAKER

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction with the Regulations governing the payment of unemployment benefit to young married women; whether he is aware that many young women give up work in industry on marriage only to find that the family income is insufficient to support them; and whether he will take the necessary steps to see that benefit is payable to all persons who are genuinely unemployed and seeking work or see that all contributions are refunded to women who leave industry on marriage?

Mr. BETTERTON

Young married women are eligible for unemployment benefit on the same conditions as all other insured contributors, and the question whethey they satisfy conditions is decided by the same machinery. With regard to the last part of the question, I have no statutory authority to refund contributions to women on marriage. The recommendations of the Blanesburgh Committee were against any change in the law on this point.

Mr. BAKER

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a number of women in Bristol are being refused unemployment benefit although they are genuinely seeking work, and will he cause special inquiry to be made to see that the conditions are satisfied on both sides?

Mr. BETTERTON

I will certainly look into any cases the hon. Member brings to my notice, but, as I pointed out, there is no special Regulation dealing with young married women. The question in this case, as in others, is whether they fulfil the statutory condition that they are genuinely seeking work.

Mr. BAKER

Is it not absolutely certain that a young married woman seeking employment after marriage has to obtain work before she can secure unemployment pay?

Mr. BETTERTON

No, I cannot accept a generalisation of that kind.

Mr. MARDY JONES

Is it not a, fact that a considerable number of young married women have had to resort to employment to maintain the home owing to the low wages of the husband? Has the hon. Gentleman no data in his Department dealing with this, and, if he has not, will he get them?

Mr. BETTERTON

No, nor would it be possible to obtain them.