HC Deb 25 July 1929 vol 230 cc1447-9
1. Mr. THURTLE

asked the Minister of Labour if she proposes to issue any fresh regulations in the near future prescribing the evidence required as to the fulfilment of the condition genuinely seeking work by applicants for unemployment benefit?

3. Mr. BUCHANAN

asked the Minister of Labour what steps, if any, have been taken to modify the administration of the present Insurance Act, with particular relationship to the clause not genuinely seeking work?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Miss Bondfield)

There is nothing I can add at present to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Pontefract (Mr. T. Smith) on 18th July, of which I am sending my hon. Friends a copy.

13. Mr. JAMES WILSON

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that under existing regulations trades union members who have exhauted their trades union benefit are required to make individual instead of an association claim for unemployment benefit; and whether she will take steps to remove this unnecessary inconvenience to unemployed members of trade unions?

Miss BONDFIELD

Yes, Sir; in general, the concurrent payment of association benefit by associations administering State benefit is required by Statute. Regulations made in pursuance of the Statutes prescribe certain exceptions designed to minimise inconvenience, but the general principle has to be observed. If my hon. Friend has in mind any particular difficulties, however, I should be glad to consider them.

17. Mr. STEPHEN

asked the Minister of Labour what regulations have been made under Clause 35 (1) (b) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, prescribing the evidence which may be required from the applicant for unemployment benefit; and what evidence, in particular, may be required for the satisfaction of the statutory condition regarding genuinely seeking employment?

Miss BONDFIELD

I would invite my hon. Friend's attention to the Unemployment Insurance (Benefit) Regulations, 1920, and the Unemployment Insurance Benefit (Amendment) Regulations, 1928. The matter is one which falls expressly within the terms of reference of the Committee under the Chairmanship of Sir Harold Morris, which will, no doubt, deal with it in their Report.

Mr. STEPHEN

Will the Minister send me a copy of those regulations?

Miss BONDFIELD

Certainly.

Mr. MACPHERSON

Is the question of "genuinely seeking work" to be considered by the Committee?

Miss BONDFIELD

Yes, it falls within the terms of reference.

Mr. STEPHEN

Are the regulations mentioned by the Minister the regulations which are referred to in the statutory obligation?

Miss BONDFIELD

They are the regulations under which the machinery is working at present.

Mr. MOSES

How long will it be before we may expect a report?

Miss BONDFIELD

I said yesterday that I hoped to have the report available before the House meets again.