§ 22. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the great volume of unemployment continuing amongst dock labourers, he is now prepared to reexamine the system of unemployment relief for casual workers in view of the unfair way in which this works out in many cases; if he is aware, for example, that man who works three half-days in a week only is entitled to no unemployment benefit and only draws 18s. pay, whereas if he is unsuccessful in securing three half-days' work and has a wife and five children he draws 34s. unemployment relief, and that it is in consequence a temptation to a man who has. for example, signed on Wednesday and Thursday and worked half a day on Friday and Saturday, not to take a half-day's work that offers on the Monday so that he can then draw the benefit; and if he is aware that if dockers only had to sign once a day, like men in other trades, much trouble would be saved and the employment insurance funds would benefit?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI think that the hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. If a man 929 works three half-days only in a given week, he may receive benefit for the remaining three days on which he did not work. I do not understand how the unemployment fund would benefit if dockers had to sign only once a day. The requirement of two attendances a day, in force at certain ports, is considered essential in order to secure adequate evidence of unemployment.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that now, after experience of this system, it is a fact that the willing workers, the best of the men, are often penalised, and it is a great temptation to the slacker men to take advantage of the scheme? Is be aware that that is where the saving will take place, and also that men will have a better opportunity of seeking work if they have not to attend twice a day at the Exchanges?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDNo, I am not aware of that, unless the hon. and gallant Member means that people are taking advantage of unemployment benefit who ought not to be allowed to do so. I think he is under a misapprehension, but, if he will communicate with me, I shall be glad to go into it with him.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that what happens is that a man who, if he gets another half-day's work will actually lose, stands at the edge of the crowd and does not catch the foreman's; eye, and that sort of thing?