§ 39. Mr. LUNNasked the Minister of Labour whether any women have been appointed to preside over Courts of Referees under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1928; and, if so, whether they are paid the same fee as men fulfilling the same position?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThere is one case in which a woman has been appointed to preside over a Court of Referees. She receives the same fee as the other chairmen.
§ 40. Mr. LUNNasked the Minister of Labour the total number of courts of referees which are now established to deal with appeals arising out of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1928; what is the fee paid to the chairman for each meeting; and what are his qualifications?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThere are 141 courts of referees. The fee paid to each chairman is 2½ guineas a sitting. Every effort is made to select the most suitable men for these posts. In general, legal qualifications are regarded as necessary, though not absolutely essential. Special insistence is laid on the requirement that the chairman should be free from any connection likely to interfere with complete impartiality.
§ Mr. LUNNAre we to understand that the chairman is paid 2½ guineas for each meeting and that he may attend two meetings a day, and in many cases has attended 10 meetings a week, and that those who represent the employers and the workmen are only paid their tram fares?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe chairman is there as a man of special legal attainments, whose services are taken from his other work in order that he may give attention to this particular business.
§ Mr. LUNNCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us how far the appointments of these chairmen and the additional cost that is incurred in dealing with these cases is reducing the number of unemployed who are unable to get their pay?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDNo, Sir.