§ 25. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Leaflet No. U.1. 591, issued to persons claiming unemployment benefit, states that they are refused for not having the 30-stamps qualification; that it makes no mention of the transition period; and that persons are thus denied benefit; and if he will take steps to have this circular withdrawn and another take its place?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI agree that the wording of the letter is unsatisfactory, and it had been already decided to revise it. An amended print is in the press. The hon. Member may, however, rest assured that benefit is not being refused under the First Statutory Conditions to claimants who can satisfy the reduced transitional conditions.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a man has no knowledge that he can take advantage of the transition period and that no information to that effect is supplied to him? Does he not know that a man is often deprived of benefit through no fault of the Exchange officials, but because of the lack of information given to him?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI think that is not the case. This leaflet is issued only to those claimants who have failed to satisfy the transitional conditions and, in addition, have failed to satisfy the statutory conditions. It is issued to them in order that if for some reason such as sickness his is a case in which an exception can legitimately be made, he should be able to take advantage of the fact.
§ Mr. BUCHANANI have sent the right hon. Gentleman a case this week where that does not apply at all. Will he have full inquiries made?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI will certainly look into the case.
§ 37. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Minister of Labour if he has yet come to any decision as to the continuation or otherwise of what is known as the transition period in the Unemployment Insurance Act of 1927; if so, can he state the nature of such decision; and, if not, in view of the anxiety felt in many quarters, when he will be in a position to make a statement?
§ 55. Mr. STEPHENasked the Minister of Labour whether any estimate has been made of the number of men and women, respectively, who will fail to qualify for benefit if the transition period under the Unemployment Insurance Act is not extended; and, if so, can he state in what areas investigations have been made in this connection?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI regret I cannot add anything to the replies which I gave to the hon. Members on this subject on 23rd January.
§ Mr. T. SHAWCan the right hon. Gentleman say when he thinks it will be possible to make a statement on this matter?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDWhen I have got together the information which will enable me to make any substantial and reliable statement to the House, I shall be very glad to do so.
§ Mr. STEPHENCan the Minister not answer the part of my question as to whether he has taken any sample cases in connection with this matter?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI have been making inquiries.
§ Mr. BUCHANANSeeing that the end of this transition period is approaching, can the Minister not give us any idea of when he will be able to make a definite statement to the House?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI cannot. As I have said, it will be made in ample time for the House to take the whole matter into consideration.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that most of the local authorities who will be affected, and the 1114 unemployed persons, think that this six weeks is becoming less than ample time, and will he define just exactly what he means by "ample time"?
§ Mr. STEPHENCan the right hon. Gentleman say that the statement will be made before the General Election?