HC Deb 19 February 1931 vol 248 cc1424-5
16. Mr. TRAIN

asked the Minister of Labour the number of married women in Glasgow who are drawing unemployment benefit while their husbands are in employment?

Miss BONDFIELD

Statistics giving the information desired are not available.

Mr. TRAIN

As this is one of the alleged abuses of the Unemployment Insurance Acts, will not the right hon. Lady take steps to get these figures?

Miss BONDFIELD

There is no power which entitles me to ask what the husband earns.

Mr. TRAIN

Will the right hon. Lady ask for powers?

Sir ASSHETON POWNALL

Is it not possible to find whether they are in employment, if it is not possible to ask what they are earning?

Miss BONDFIELD

It is not in the competence of the officers to do that.