§ 2. Mr. DAVID GRENFELLasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that whilst crews of trawlers paid a 229 weekly wage and percentage are eligible for unemployment insurance, herring crews on a weekly allowance and percentage are not; that in many cases the men in the latter category have been compelled to pay unemployment insurance contributions when engaged on other work in the early part of the year without ever being qualified for benefit; and whether he will take steps to alter this?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONAs regards the first part of the question, fishing crews wholly remunerated by a share in the profits or gross earnings of the vessel are not insurable for unemployment insurance; this is a statutory provision, which I cannot alter, but if it is contended that it does not apply in any case I shall be prepared to consider any particulars laid before me. As regards the second part of the question, a person engaged in insurable work is not in general relieved from paying contributions merely because he is engaged in uninsurable work at some other time, but in certain cases he may obtain exemption, on terms set out in a leaflet of which I am sending the hon. Member 'a copy. I do not understand what the hon. Member means when he says that men who have paid contributions are never qualified for benefit, assuming that they are unemployed, and I should be glad to have particulars.
§ Mr. GRENFELLWill the right hon. Gentleman see me if I come to his Department to discuss the matter?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe hon. Gentle man put down a very complex question, and I shall be only too glad to see him and discuss any question where he considers administrative hardship is alleged.