§ 17. Mr. BATEYasked the Minister of Labour whether any steps will be taken in the next Session of Parliament to amend the Unemployment Act, 1929, so that. she can deal with complaints sent to her by Members of this House with regard to the decisions of courts of referees?
§ Miss BONDFIELDNo, Sir. I do not think the Minister should have any discretionary power with regard to the grant or refusal of unemployment benefit.
§ Mr. BATEYIs the Minister not aware that it has always been the privilege of Members of this House to send complaints and have them considered, and that now she is making it useless for Members to send in complaints because she gives one stereotyped reply, and hides behind the courts of referees? Will she not take steps to have the 1929 Act altered, so that Members can send cases to her?
§ Miss BONDFIELDNo. So far as I am concerned, I will not.