§ 65. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Minister of Labour the purpose for which questions are being put by Employment Exchange officials in the Tees-side area to members of the Amalgamated Engineering Union who apply for unemployment benefit, demanding particulars from the applicant as to the name and nature of 2036 his school and date of leaving it, when he started work, the state of his health and eyesight, how much he subscribes to his home, and whether his past savings when in regular work are not still enough for him to live on?
§ Mr. LAWSONFor the purpose of furnishing for the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance an analysis of the personal circumstances and industrial history of unemployed persons, an investigation by way, of sample was made early in February last. This involved an interview with a limited number of claimants, not exceeding 30 men at any one local office, and the information obtained included particulars as to health, physical defects (if any), type of school attended, age on leaving school and age of starting work. No instructions were given for any questions as to the amount subscribed to the applicant's home or the amount of past savings, and so far as I am aware such questions have not been asked.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODMay I ask if our union has been consulted about these questions being put to our members?
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSWhat would Gandhi say if he had been consulted?
§ Mr. LAWSONThat particular union was not consulted. As a matter of fact, the persons consulted would belong to many unions.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWill this inquisition cease now?
§ Mr. LAWSONIt is not true to use the term "inquisition" at all, for the simple reason that there was never any investigation, as I have pointed out, on the question of the personal conditions of the men. No questions were put relating to their domestic circumstances.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that our society—the whole district—had a meeting at which a resolution was passed condemning this action? I have this question from our executive; it is not a question from me at all.
§ Mr. STEPHENCan the hon. Gentleman tell us under which statutory provision the Exchange officials are entitled to put these questions?
§ Mr. LAWSONThe information asked for was proper, was needed for the purposes of the Commission, and was limited to a small number of men. It was what was known as sample investigation, to which no real objection could be taken.
Mr. MACLEANWere these people informed of the reason for these questions being asked, and were they told that it was not necessary for them to answer them if they had any objection?
§ Mr. LAWSONI could not answer that question on the spur of the moment.