HC Deb 28 November 1928 vol 223 cc415-6
43 and 44. Mr. JOHN

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware that unemployed persons registering for benefit at the Employment Exchanges in the Rhondda Valley have to wait for five and six weeks pending a meeting of the Court of Referees on their cases; that unemployment benefit is discontinued during the waiting period; and whether he will arrange so that the cases can be brought before the Courts of Referees during the six weeks' additional benefit;

(2) whether he is aware that recipients of unemployment benefit at the Employment Exchanges in the Rhondda Valley, whose cases are taken before the Courts of Referees at the end of the qualifying period, when the decision of the Courts of Referees have been given in favour of the claimant, have to wait five and six weeks before the decision becomes operative; and whether, in view of the hardship entailed, he will expedite matters so as to curtail the waiting period between the date of decision and date of payment?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The volume of work in some districts in connection with the review of claims under the 1927 Act was very great and unfortunately at one stage a certain amount of arrears was allowed to accumulate. As soon as this was brought to my notice I took steps to meet the difficulty. If the

the end of each month from February to October, 1928, together with the numbers included in the figures whose claims were admitted or under consideration.

Following is the statement:

hon. Member will let me have particulars of any recent cases of delay, I shall be happy to inquire into them.

Mr. JOHN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I sent in cases three weeks ago and that I have not had a reply yet with regard to them?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Of course, as far as an inquiry to myself is concerned, there is always the additional time which is taken up' in referring right down to the locality and back again. If the hon. Member desires that I should personally go into every case as I frequently do, then of course it may need more references to and fro. That was not the kind of delay to which I thought the hon. Member referred in his letter.

Mr. JOHN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these people have to wait 12, 13 and 14 weeks without their unemployment benefit, and is there any reason why these men should have to wait seven or eight weeks for their money after the decision in their favour has been arrived at by the Court of Referees?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

As far as it does not relate to exceptional cases, which I am asked to look into personally, I think that steps have been taken to relieve the congestion down there. If the hon. Member has any reason to think that there is still delay in regard to the number of cases, of course I will look into the matter.