§ 47. Mr. STEPHENasked the Prime Minister to which Minister questions should be addressed relative to decisions by courts of referees and the umpire under the Unemployment Insurance Act?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)Questions relating to the administration of the Unemployment Insurance Acts should be addressed to the Minister of Labour. In framing questions, however, relating to Courts of Referees and the Umpire, hon. Members will no doubt bear in mind that Parliament has deliberately placed their decision outside Ministerial control.
§ Mr. STEPHENSince they are outside the control of the Minister of Labour is there to be no Minister responsible to the House of Commons for the actions of these men? Does the Prime Minister mean that the only way in which we can deal with injustices is by putting down a Motion in this House for their dismissal?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe whole question of the umpires was placed outside the jurisdiction of Ministers by this House, and the only way in which it can be altered is by an alteration of the Act or by putting down a Motion in this House for the removal of an umpire in the same way as is done in the case of a Judge.
§ Mr. BUCHANANAs the question also covers the Court of Referees, may I ask whether, as they are outside the control of this House, we are to be debarred from putting questions concerning their actions? Will the Prime Minister still consider the advisability of allowing questions to be put in re- 942 gard to the actions of the Court of Referees, or are they to be still on the same footing as the Judiciary?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should like notice of some parts of that question. I have answered the question on the Paper, and perhaps the best course at the moment is for hon. Members to put such questions as they think fit, and they will be answered if possible.
§ Mr. MACLEAN rose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot spend too much time on each question.
§ Mr. MACLEANWhy are not questions answered properly?