15. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Minister of Labour what has been the effect on the numbers of persons claiming benefit of the instructions issued by her Department, following 1341 upon the abolition of the genuinely-seeking-work principle, that while an insurance officer remains able to allow any claim for benefit if he thinks fit a claim can only be disallowed by a court of referees?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe change in procedure to which the hon. and gallant Member refers was introduced, not by Departmental instructions, but by the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1930. I am not aware what, if any, effect the change has had upon the number of persons claiming benefit.
Sir F. HALLSurely it must have had a very marked effect on the question of the unemployed, because they can easily go on the unemployment register by not saying that they have tried to find work. Is it not a fact that there has been a considerable increase in the number in consequence of that?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe hon. and gallant Member is mistaken.
Sir F. HALLDo I understand that there has been no increase in consequence of that? Does the right hon. Lady mean to tell the House that, in consequence of that alteration, there has been no increase in unemployment? Surely I am entitled to an answer to that question.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter for debate.
Sir F. HALLOn a point of Order. May I remind you, Mr. Speaker, that I asked the right hon. Lady a perfectly plain question, and am I not entitled to an answer to my question as to whether there has been any increase or not?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI have answered the question that appeared on the Order Paper.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot take the matter any further.