§ 57. Mr. McSHANEasked the Minister of Labour if she is aware that unemployed men are being offered, by Employment Exchanges, jobs with the Eldorado Ice Cream Company; that the wages offered are 3s. per day plus 2s. in the £ commission; that the hours are expressly stated as 9.30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mondays to Sundays; that this means 801 hours per week; and that men who have refused such work have been disallowed benefit; and whether she will give instructions to her officers to offer no more of these jobs?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe wages and hours are substantially as stated; I understand the hours are those of leaving and returning to the depot. In certain cases benefit has been disallowed by courts of referees on refusal of this employment, but I am informed that the question of an appeal to the Umpire is under consideration. I have no authority to issue the instructions suggested in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. McSHANEDoes not the right hon. Lady see the danger of the principle involved in this matter, and that is that no one shall be allowed unemployment benefit if they refuse a job where they have to work seven days a week? Does she not see the danger of the implication?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThat is not the principle involved here, because, as a, matter of fact, in two or three cases of a similar kind the courts of referees have allowed benefit.