§ 12. Sir K. WOODasked the Minister of Labour whether she can now make any statement with reference to the amendment of the statutory condition of genuinely seeking work by applicants for unemployment benefit?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Lawson)I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend to a similar question by the hon. Member for Birkenhead East (Mr. Graham-White).
§ Sir K. WOODCan the hon. Member state what he thinks the cost of the new legislative proposals will be?
§ Mr. ERNEST BROWNWill the hon. Member represent to the Minister that, in view of the diversity of opinion about the two reports, it would be advisable to have a day for their discussion prior to taking a decision as to what the Bill ought to do? May I have an answer to my question? The diversity of opinion is on the Government side of the House as well as elsewhere.
§ Mr. LAWSONI do not mind telling the hon. Member that I will put the suggestion to my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. STEPHENWill the hon. Member see that the views of the Labour representatives on that Committee are adopted, and that the statutory condition as to "not genuinely seeking work" is abolished?