§ 10. Mr. JAMES HUDSONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Miss Jane Puckering, of 22, Swan Lane,. Lockwood, Huddersfield, who for five years was compelled to insure herself against unemployment, though employed as an assistant cook in a works canteen, was sent by the Exchange, when she became unemployed, to an unsatisfactory place as a domestic servant where such tasks as scrubbing floors on Sundays were enforced upon her; and whether, as the Exchange has failed to procure a more suitable position and rules out her application for benefit on 168 the ground that domestic service is not an insured occupation, he will look into the matter?
BETTERTONI presume the hon. Member, in the first part of his question, refers to the disallowance of Miss Puckering's claim by the Insurance Officer in April of last year; on that occasion benefit was allowed by the Court of Referees on appeal. In October a further claim was disallowed on the ground that she had left her employment without just, cause, and also because she refused a situation offered to her; she did not appeal on either point. On 18th October employment was found for her and she has not since made a claim. There has been no disallowance on the ground that domestic service is not an insured occupation.