§ 36. Mr. DAYasked the Minister of Labour whether any special instructions have been issued from his Department to the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange, during the period of 12 months ended to the 9th April, 1928, which caused the local employment committee to recommend for disallowance 4,037 applications for extended benefit out of a total of 12,363 applications considered?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo, Sir.
§ Mr. DAYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that 1,300 of these applications have been refused, because the committee have considered that the 173 applicants have not been genuinely seeking work, and does he not think that this is an absurd number for such a cause to be given?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo, I am not aware of that figure. It is obviously a question for the committee.
§ Mr. BETTERTONIf the hon. Gentleman says so, I take it that it is so.
§ Mr. STEPHENDoes the hon. Gentleman not consider that 33⅓ per cent. of disqualifications is a very large proportion, and can he say what is the general figure for the country?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe question on the Paper asks if there were any special instructions issued.