§ 34. Colonel WOODCOCKasked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the decision of the official Umpire under the Unemployment Insurance Acts in a test case which has recently come before him, in which a bookmaker may receive benefit during the interval between the end of the flat-racing season and the beginning of the next, if he only acted as a bookmaker during the flat-racing season; and if he is prepared to make any statement on the matter?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIn the case to which I presume my hon. and gallant Friend refers, the applicant had been accustomed to work as a skilled mechanic during part of the year and to carry on the business of a bookmaker during the flat-racing season. The Umpire decided on the facts given in evidence that the applicant was unemployed at the date when the claim to benefit was made, which was outside the flat-racing season, and was therefore entitled to draw benefit 1129 in respect of the contributions he had paid as a mechanic.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKAre we to understand that in future bookmakers may always claim the dole during the close season in flat racing?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDNo, Sir. If the hon. and gallant Member had attended to my answer, he would have found the opposite.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs it not time that the hon. and gallant Member had enough intelligence not to call it the dole?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENDo not bookmakers collect money for the Government?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThese are matters for debate.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs it not a fact that so long as any class of men pay contributions they are entitled to unemployment benefit, no matter what may be their occupation?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThat is true provided they satisfy the necessary conditions.