§ 20. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Minister of Labour if a decision has yet been arrived at in the case of Miss Menzies, Hopehill Road, Glasgow, signing at the Maryhill Exchange, and who has been refused benefit as a seasonal worker with 87 stamps in two years; and if he is taking any steps to regularise the treatment by courts of referees in the future of this class of case?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe claim for benefit made by Miss Menzies has been referred by the insurance officer to the umpire. Uniformity in the treatment of eases by the courts is secured by the procedure of appeal to the umpire, the more important of whose decisions are circulated to the courts for their guidance.
§ Mr. BUCHANANMay I ask if anything can be done to stop courts of referees acting in this way? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that a person with 87 stamps in two years ceases to be a seasonal worker; and is there any difference in the administration here?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe point on which the hon. Gentleman asks my opinion is, of course, a matter for the umpire, and when the umpire's decision is given I shall do my best, as the hon. Member knows, to secure that the widest publicity is given to the decision so that the courts of referees have correct instructions.
§ Mr. BUCHANANI am asking the right hon. Gentleman whether the court of referees is not deliberately acting in defiance of the Act seeing that a person who has two years' work ceases to be a seasonal worker?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI can only repeat that that is a matter for the umpire.