§ 21. Mr. JAMES HUDSONasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Mrs. Elsie Todman, of 6, Astor Street, Turnbridge, Huddersfield, and Mrs. Florrie Golden, of 15, Violet Street, Turn-bridge, Huddersfield, were, after drawing only four weeks benefit from the Employment Exchange, suspended in February from the receipt of further benefit; and whether, as both these workers had by their past contributions fully qualified themselves to draw standard benefit from the insurance fund and were also prepared to take any temporary employment during their temporary stoppage of work, he will state the grounds for the suspension of their benefits?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIn both cases the insurance officer disallowed benefit on the ground that the applicants were not genuinely seeking work. The court of referees, to whom they appealed, agreed with the insurance officer, as the evidence showed that they were making no real efforts to obtain work but were merely awaiting re-engagement, at an indefinite date, by their former employer.
§ Mr. HUDSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman say that these two women workers made no effort to take up any temporary employment in place of that which they had hitherto held?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am giving no decision. These are cases which are judged by the statutory authority and this was the decision given by the two grades of statutory authorities—first by the insurance officer and then by the court. I have no power to intervene in regard to their decision or the grounds on which it is given.
§ Mr. HUDSONIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to make this the general rule with regard to workers who are fully qualified for benefit, that in a short period of unemployment, because they cannot get a new job entirely, they shall became ineligible for benefit?