19. Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Labour the amount of unemployment benefit that has been paid to the miners who ceased work at the Bedwas Colliery, Monmouthshire, on the 6th November, 1930; whether she is aware that, on the 1st December, these miners were offered the same wages and conditions of labour as are operating in similar collieries in the neighbourhood; what are the average adult wages earned by miners in the district; and whether, as the men have declined to return to work on the conditions offered, she will consider the advisability of withdrawing all further unemployment insurance benefits from them?
§ Mr. LAWTHERI beg to ask your Ruling, Mr. Speaker, whether this question is in order, having regard to the fact that this has been a subject of an umpire's ruling, which is held to be above the law and final?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere are many questions in this House of the same sort, and they have generally been allowed.
§ Mr. LAWTHERWhen an umpire's decision has been given, is it not beyond the power of any Member to raise a question, or for the Minister to interfere, because the umpire has statutory powers?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have often heard questions of that kind put.
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe amount of benefit paid to these men could not be ascertained without detailed and laborious investigation, which I hardly feel justified in undertaking. An offer of re-employment was made shortly after the stoppage in November, and, following on its refusal by the men, a decision was given by the umpire allowing benefit. I am not in possession of the figures asked for in the third part of the question. As regards the last part of the question, I have no power to withdraw benefit; the right to receive benefit is decided by the statutory authorities.
Sir F. HALLIs it not a fact that about £120,000 is being expended on unemployment benefit in this instance, and why cannot the right hon. Lady give the information? Is it that she does not want to give it?
§ Miss BONDFIELDNot at all. It is not possible, without individual investigation in each case, to say specifically how much benefit has been paid to each man, but, if the hon. and gallant Member will be satisfied with an approximation, I will endeavour to get the information.
§ Mr. McSHANECan the right hon. Lady induce the hon. and gallant Member to go down and explain that at a mass meeting of men?