§ 1 Mr. BUCHANANasked the Minister of Labour (1) the total number of married women who have had their cases reviewed under the Unemployment Insurance (No. 3) Act, 1931, and the total refused benefit;
(2) the total number of seasonal workers who have had their cases reviewed under the Unemployment Insurance (No. 3) Act, 1931, and the total refused benefit;
(3) the total number of persons who have been refused benefit who are classified as persons who work for less than a full week and who are also classified as persons whose normal employment is not for more than two days in a week?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Henry Betterton)As the reply includes a table of figures I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the statement:
§ ham up to the 9th November, and what proportion have been refused further benefit?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONUp to 9th November, 1931, the Birmingham Court 985 of Referees had considered 2,044 cases (all of which related to married women) under the Anomalies Regulations, and benefit was disallowed in 1939 cases. Cases are referred to this court of referees from the Birmingham and Coles-hill Employment Exchanges.
§ 20. Mr. GORDON MACDONALDasked the Minister of Labour the number of cases referred to the court of referees under the Anomalies Act from the areas supervised from Wigan and St. Helens, specifying the number of women, and stating the number denied unemployment benefits up to the latest date for which information is available?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONUp to 9th November, 1931, the court of referees at Wigan had considered 261 cases under the Anomalies Regulations, all of which related to women, and had disallowed benefit in 255. During the same period the St. Helens Court of Referees considered 481 cases (all of which related to married women) and disallowed benefit in 469.
§ Captain GUNSTONIs it not a fact that this Anomalies Act was passed by the Labour Government?
§ 21. Captain HAROLD BALFOURasked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed struck off the registers at Margate and Ramsgate under the new seasonal workers regulations as at 17th November?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONUp to 9th November, 1931, the Margate Court of Referees had considered the cases of 105 male and 72 female seasonal workers under the Anomalies Regulations, and had disallowed benefit in the cases of 84 men and 67 women. During the same period the Ramsgate Court of Referees considered the cases of 43 men and 133 women and disallowed benefit in 34 and 111, respectively. The persons affected by the disallowances are not struck off the register unless they cease to attend at the Exchange.
§ Captain BALFOURCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many more cases are to come under the survey of the courts of referees?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, Sir; I cannot.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs this Act working, from the right hon. Gentleman's point of view, in the direction of saving money?
§ 25. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Minister of Labour the number of courts held at the Parkhead Employment Exchange in connection with the Anomalies Act; the names of the chairmen of the courts of referees; and the amount of money drawn by each chairman up to 14th November for special work under the Act?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI will ascertain and let the hon. Member know the number of sittings of courts of referees, and the amount of fees paid, which would, of course, be at the ordinary rate. I am not prepared to state the names of chairmen or others who formed the courts cm particular occasions.
§ Mr. McGOVERNCan the right hon. Gentleman state any reason why the chairmen's names should not be published?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThis question was considered on many occasions by my predecessor, and she came to the conclusion, with which I agree, that it would not be desirable to publish on particular-occasions the names either of the chairman or the members of; the court,.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIt is perfectly true that we plied the late Minister with the same questions, but I want to ask the Minister what is the reason for not divulging the names? We want to know the names and how much money they are getting for this job. 'Some of them are walking away with young fortunes.
§ Sir H. BETTERTONWith regard to that part of the question, I have already told the hon. Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern) that the amounts would be given to him. The hon. Member will get an answer on that point.
§ Mr. MAXTONWhat is the reason for withholding the names? Is it regarded as being something dishonourable to form part of this particular branch of the service?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, Sir. On the contrary, it is considered a highly honourable service—
§ Mr. KIRKWOODYou mean, well paid.
§ Sir H. BETTERTONIt is not considered desirable that the names of the chairman and those who form particular courts on particular occasions should be given.