HC Deb 18 April 1929 vol 227 cc402-3
65. Mr. KELLY

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women registered as unemployed at Pembroke Dock during the last three months; and what steps have been taken to find employment for the people in this area?

Mr. BETTERTON

As the reply includes, a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. KELLY

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask, in regard to the latter part of the question, what steps have been taken to find employment?

Mr. BETTERTON

My right hon. Friend made very full inquiries in deference to the question of the hon. Gentleman. The answer came last night; I have not seen it, but my right hon. Friends is communicating it at once to the hon. Gentleman.

Following is the statement:

are not genuinely seeking work, quite irrespective of the fact that many of them give documentary evidence of their diligent search for work: and will he state what instructions have been given to Exchange officials and Courts of Referees about their treatment of women who on marriage are discharged from employment?

Mr. BETTERTON

The Employment Exchanges do not disallow benefit. Their instructions are to interview the women in these cases and in any case of doubt to refer the matter to the Chief Insurance Officer with a statement of all the relevant facts. My right hon. Friend has given no instructions about these cases to Courts of Referees.

61. Mr. THURTLE (for Mr. LANS-BURY)

asked the Minister of Labour on what evidence the Court of Referees decided on several occasions that Mrs. Porteous, of Rich Street, Poplar, has been refused unemployment pay since her discharge from employment on the occasion of her marriage 12 months ago; and is he aware that Mrs. Porteous worked without a break for 10 years at one firm in Poplar and paid insurance contributions during the whole period and has never drawn any out-of-work benefit, and that during the past 12 months she has continually registered for work at the Exchange and has on no occasion been offered work by the Exchange officials?

Mr. BETTERTON

I am having in-quiries made into this case and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

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