§ 28. Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Minister of Labour whether the application of Mr. John Twist, of Parkfield Terrace, Haydock, for unemployment benefit was in order when made at the Employment Exchange at St. Helens, Lancashire, why the claim was referred to London, and why there has been delay in arriving at a decision?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI regret that inquiries in this case have not yet been completed. I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am expediting every one of these inquiries as fast as I can. The number of inquiries is very considerable ax the present time, the amount of sickness among the officials is very great, and the consequence is that beyond a certain degree I cannot press them further.
§ Mr. YOUNGEven making allowances for sickness among the officials, does it take, on the average, 10 to 12 weeks to decide a question of this kind?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDCertainly not. On the average that is not the case, by any manner of means. There are sometimes exceptional cases and exceptional difficulty, and those cases take, longer than others.
§ 35. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the decision given on 7th December as to the right of inquiry into incomes of relatives of applicants for unemployment benefit was given by the deputy umpire; and if, in view of the importance of the 938 said decision, he will allow a further appeal to the chief umpire?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the right of appeal does not depend on any permission to be given by me; in accordance with the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Acts, the decision of a deputy-umpire is final and conclusive.