§ 59. Mr. MANDERasked the Minister of Labour if she will state whether the case with reference to the unemployment benefit of the men engaged in the dispute at the works of the William James Manufacturing Company, Willenhall, has yet been dealt with by the umpire, and the date when the appeal first reached him?
§ Mr. LAWSONI am informed that no appeal has yet been made to the umpire.
§ Mr. MANDERIs the hon. Member not aware that an appeal was entered at least four or five weeks ago? Will he make inquiries and ascertain why it has not reached the umpire?
§ Mr. LAWSONIt is not a matter for the Department, but for the parties concerned.
§ Mr. BUCHANANCan the hon. Member state whether the cause of the delay is due to his Department or to the umpire's department? Is it not a fact that the umpire's department acts with great expedition?
§ Mr. LAWSONIn this case, the delay is due to the fact that, apparently, one of the parties has not taken steps to make the appeal.
§ Mr. MANDERIs the hon. Member not aware that these men, to my knowledge, put in an appeal to the umpire at the Willenhall Employment Exchange four or five weeks ago? Why has it not been received and dealt with?
§ Mr. LAWSONNo, Sir. My information is definite. Although the court of referees disallowed the claim, an appeal is open to the union. In fact, the court of referees allowed the appeal voluntarily. Despite these facts, no appeal has yet been made.