HC Deb 12 July 1934 vol 292 cc500-1
9. Mr. THORNE

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the organisations that are recognised by the court of referees and the umpires to select the person or persons to put the case for the workers before referees or the umpire?

Mr. STANLEY

There is no list of recognised organisations for this purpose. A claimant for benefit may select any person, not being counsel or a solicitor, to represent him before the court of referees, and an association of employed persons, of which a claimant is a member, has a right of appearance before the court if the claim has been made in accordance with an arrangement made with that association under Section 17 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920. An appeal to the umpire may be made by an association of employed persons on behalf of a member, and it rests with the umpire to decide whether a particular organization is such as association.

Mr. THORNE

Do I understand that all those who appear before the courts of referees or the umpire must be members of organisations recognised by the Minister?

Mr. STANLEY

Oh no, Sir.

Mr. THORNE

Then does it mean that anybody, whether he belongs to an organisation or not, can appear before the courts of referees and the umpire?

Unemployed persons on the registers of the Wigan Employment Exchange (including Wigan Juvenile Employment Bureau).
date. Men aged 18 and over. Boys aged 14 and under 18. Women aged 18 and over. Girls aged 14 and under 18. Total.
24th March, 1930—
Wholly unemployed 4,475 86 2,080 48 6,689
Temporarily stopped 1,850 117 2,255 187 4,409
Total 6,325 203 4,335 235 11,098
23rd March, 1931—
Wholly unemployed 6,616 175 2,146 175 9,112
Temporarily stopped 1,257 78 1,601 120 3,056
Total 7,873 253 3,747 295 12,168
21st March, 1932—
Wholly unemployed 7,575 145 1,020 108 8,848
Temporarily stopped 1.261 65 478 47 1,851
Total 8,836 210 1,498 155 10,699
20th March, 1934—
Wholly unemployed— 8,168 227 1,042 119 9,556
Temporarily stopped 2,383 99 2,003 180 4665
Total 10,551 326 3,045 299 14,221
19th March, 1934—
Wholly unemployed 7,936 165 846 115 9,062
Temporarily stopped 1,499 51 929 58 2,537
Total 9,435 216 1,775 173 11,599