3. Mr. PRICEasked the Minister of Labour the number of applications for unemployment insurance benefit that have been refused by the courts of referees at Hemsworth, Pontefract, Barnsley, Castle-ford, Goole, and Doncaster during the last three months, and the reasons for such refusal?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONAs the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the statement:
§ there are instances of delay in allowing them benefit; and whether he will adopt measures to eliminate such delay in future?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)I understand my hon. Friend 1793 is referring to cases in which benefit has been disallowed by a court of referees and a test case has subsequently been allowed by the umpire. Some little time is necessarily occupied in identifying the claims covered by the test case and taking the necessary steps for authorisation of benefit, but I am looking into the point in order to see whether the procedure can be expedited.
§ 15. Mr. KIRKWOOD (for Mr. McGOVERN)asked the Minister of Labour if he can state the number of applicants for benefit in Glasgow who have been refused benefit and have in consequence left their homes and gone to new addresses, and have then been allowed payments under the means test?
§ Mr. HUDSONI regret that there are no statistics on this point.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWill the hon. Gentleman make inquiries, because this is a very serious matter? Here we have proof of the Tory Government breaking up homes—[Interruption.]