§ 79. Mr. TINKERasked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the case of Mr. R. Garner, 78, Twist Lane, Leigh, Lancashire, who has had his unemployment benefit stopped because he is suffering from injury to his hands caused through extinguishing the flames on a seven-year-old girl who lived in the same house; and will he say what steps he will take in the matter?
Mr. HUDSONMr. Garner's claim for benefit has been referred to a court of referees for decision in accordance with the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Acts, and I understand that the court will consider the claim to-day.
§ Mr. TINKERWhile thanking the hon. Member for promising to deal with the matter, I would ask whether he is aware that there has been considerable indignation aroused by the stopping of the payment of benefit, and would it not have been better to have had the court of referees before payment was suspended?
Mr. HUDSONMy recollection of the case is that the man's benefit has not been suspended, but that there was some question of the dependents' benefit. I understand that the arrears of dependents' benefit for the children have been paid.
§ Mr. TINKERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that benefit has been suspended as from last Saturday week, and that on Friday night last the man had only three days' benefit to draw?