HC Deb 11 March 1931 vol 249 cc1184-5
72. Mr. MILLS

asked the Minister of Labour whether any special regulations have been framed to provide that unemployed men given temporary employment in snow-clearing do not forfeit their right to benefit because of taking such work?

Mr. LAWSON

There is no power to make regulations distinguishing snow-clearing from any other form of temporary employment as regards disqualification for the receipt of benefit. Whether work of this kind would disentitle an individual claimant for the receipt of benefit is a matter for the statutory authorities.

Mr. McSHANE

Since this is obviously a matter of only a day or two, will not the Minister give special instructions that no man should be penalised?

Mr. MILLS

As, obviously, Parliament has taken power out of the hands of the Minister to deal with the court of referees, can the hon. Gentleman state whether the Minister of Labour is watching the effect of this power now given, with a view to possible revision by this House?

Mr. LAWSON

This is a matter in which the Minister has no power. As I have pointed out in my answer, the Minister cannot give instructions in such cases. The Minister has no power to take this question out of the hands of the statutory authorities nor is there power to deal with the matter except through the court of referees. As regards the ques- tion of the hon. Member for Walsall (Mr. McShane), that is a matter for legislation.

Mr. McSHANE

Is it not within the competency of the Minister of Labour at any rate to ask that, in this respect, the court shall determine sympathetically the rules which are laid down.