§ 18. Lord SCONEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that hardship is being caused to Scottish salmon-net fishermen by their being now deprived of unemployment benefit on the ground that they are seasonal workers; and whether, in these circumstances, he will consider introducing such legislation as may be necessary to bring that class of worker within the scope of the Unemployment Insurance Acts?
§ 19. Mr. BARCLAY-HARVEYasked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the fact that under the present arrangements salmon fishermen get no benefit under the unemployment insurance scheme while paying full contributions during the period in which they are employed, he will consider the introduction of legislation to bring them effectively into the range of benefit under the scheme?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONIn accordance with a recommendation of the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance, and under powers given by the Anomalies Act of last Session, Regulations are in operation under which seasonal workers are not entitled to benefit in the off-season unless they have in the past two years followed insurable employment in the off-season, and could reasonably expect to do so again. I have undertaken to watch the working of these Regulations carefully, and will in due course take steps to amend them, if I am satis- 1797 fied that amendment is necessary. Meanwhile I am afraid I cannot make any special exception for particular classes of workers.
§ Lord SCONEIs my right hon. Friend aware that, no matter how far these men go, they are unable to find insurable employment during the off-season, and that, therefore, their case is a very hard one; and does he not think that some special consideration might be given to it?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI am very fully aware of the point which my Noble Friend has in mind, and it is one of those points which, clearly, will have to be considered after I receive the report of the Royal Commission. To make an alteration would, of course, need legislation.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMay I ask my right hon. Friend, in considering the whole question, not to forget the case of the fisher girls?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONCertainly, I will not forget it.
§ Major COLFOXCan the Minister say why this and some other classes of work-people are compelled to pay insurance premiums, without any chance of getting any benefit from doing so?
§ Sir H BETTERTONThat again raises the same question. In many cases the statistics show that there are industries of a seasonal nature where a considerable amount of benefit is received during unemployment, while in other cases it seems to be shown that the employment is continuous, and it was that sort of case that I had in mind in replying to my Noble Friend.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODCan the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea when he expects the report of the Royal Commission, because thousands of girls are affected by this procedure?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI have already answered that question. I think it was before the hon. Member came into the House.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODI have been in the House all the time.