§ 2 and 3. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Minister of Labour (1) if he can state the number of persons in Glasgow whose cases were considered under the Anomalies Act by the court of referees; and how many were refused benefit;
(2) the number of persons whose cases have been before the courts of referees under the Anomalies Act, and the number refused benefit?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONUp to 31st January, 1932, 200,496 cases had been considered by courts of referees in Great Britain under the Anomalies Regulations, and benefit was disallowed in 165,060 cases. The corresponding figures for the Glasgow area were 9,009 and 7,368.
§ Mr. McGOVERNIn view of these alarming figures, as to the numbers being cut off benefit, would the Minister see that a large number of these cases are reviewed so that justice is done?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, Sir. I am doing my utmost to see that justice is being done. I have said on more than one occasion that I am watching the operation of these regulations, and if it should turn out that I should wish to put another report before the committee I shall do so.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the Minister aware that Glasgow shows a far higher percentage than the rest of the country? Will he make inquiry as to the reason? Further, is the sum to be saved likely to justify the optimism of the last Government?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe second part of that supplementary question does not arise out of the question on the Paper, but I have no reason to suppose that the 528 estimates will not be realised. With regard to the first supplementary question, I have worked the figures out otherwise; I have worked it out that the proportion in Glasgow is about the same. If the hon. Member likes to put a further question on the Paper, I will get the information.
17. Mr. PRICEasked the Minister of Labour if he can state how many of the 165,060 claims disallowed by courts of estimates under the Anomalies Regulations relate to married women; the number of those whose claims were disallowed and who continued to register; and bow many of them have since obtained employment?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONOf the 165,060 claims disallowed by courts of referees under the Anomalies Regulations up to the end of January, 1932, 141,217 were in respect of married women under Class (d). It is possible that the numbers of separate individuals concerned are slightly below these figures. It is estimated that at 25th January, 1932, approximately 16,000 married women whose claims had been disallowed were continuing to register at Employment Exchanges. The number who had obtained employment is not available.