§ 4. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Minister of Labour to state the total number of persons disqualified from benefit on 10th October, 1932, as a result of the operation of the Anomalies Act?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe statistics give the number of disallowances under the Anomalies Regulations for monthly periods, and the figure for the month ending 30th September was 5,275.
§ Mr. McGOVERNCan the Minister give us the total figures, not the monthly figures, of those now disqualified?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe hon. Gentleman did not ask that. He asked
the total number of persons disqualified from benefit on 10th October, 1932.I can give him the corresponding figure for the year ended 30th September, which is exactly what he wants. It was 212,154.
§ Mr. McGOVERNIs it the case, as has been frequently stated, that the Minister is acting entirely outside the intention or the spirit of the Act and acting more brutally than was intended; and is it the case that the Trades Union Congress have made representations to him to be more lenient with the people under that Act?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI ought to add to my previous answer that the figure I gave relates to cases, not separate individuals. With regard to the other point, as the hon. Gentleman knows and as I have often stated, the question of these regulations is constantly under my own consideration, but I am guided, and have to be guided, by the recommendations of the committee set up under the Act.
§ Mr. McGOVERNIs it the case that the Trades Union Congress, which previously endorsed the Act, have now made a request that it be modified?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI am not quite sure of that without looking into it, but I will look into it and see what their recommendations are.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs it not the case that the first and major recommendation of this joint committee was not wholly followed by the Minister of Labour?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONOh, no; the recommendations of the committee have been followed.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSrose——
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot debate the mater by question and answer.