HC Deb 07 June 1928 vol 218 cc341-3
55. Mr. KELLY

asked the Minister of Labour why the insurance officer at the Derby Employment Exchange refuses to pay unemployment benefit to Mr. T. Radford, who is unemployed from the British Celanese Works, Spondon, after a period of blindness caused by his work at the artificial silk factory?

Captain MARGESSON

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is

Period 19th April, 1928 to 14th May, 1928.
Men. Boys. Women. Girls. Total.
Claims to benefit, disallowed by Insurance Officers. 58,418 1,838 10,514 953 71,723
*Recommendations of Courts of Referees:—
Allowing Benefit Details not available. 2,694
Disallowing Benefit 5,656
* These eases are not necessarily confined to those disallowed by the Insurance Officers during the period.
58. Mr. JOHN

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mr. Griffith Thomas, Hill Top House, Lythall Lane, Foleshill, Coventry, was on 2nd February, 1928, sent by the Tonypandy Employment Exchange to a training centre in Birmingham, and was on 9th May, after 14 weeks' training, sent to the Dunlop Motor Works, Coventry;

having inquiry made into this case, and will let the hon. Member know the result in due course.

Mr. KELLY

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the difficulties that arise in these artificial silk factory districts through the refusal of the Ministry of Labour to pay unemployment benefit to people who are unemployed by reason of the conditions in those factories?

Captain MARGESSON

I understand that my right hon. Friend has only had short notice of this question. He is looking into the matter thoroughly, and will send a reply to the hon. Member.

56. Mr. KELLY

asked the Minister of Labour whether the record is made up to 31st May, as to the number of cases dealt with by insurance officers and referred to the court of referees, in the matter of unemployment benefit to men and women whose cases were considered consequent upon the provisions of the new Unemployment Insurance Act?

Captain MARGESSON

The only statistics available relate to the period 19th April, 1928 to 14th May inclusive. As the reply includes a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

that Mr. Thomas, who was formerly a miner, owing to insufficient training had the misfortune to break a drill, and was instantly dismissed; that the Coventry committee has refused to restore hip unemployment benefit; that he is now stranded in Coventry; and will he take immediate steps to restore to Mr. Thomas his benefit?

Captain MARGESSON

My right hon. Friend is having inquiries made into this case, and will let the hon. Member know the result in due course.