§ 42. Miss WILKINSONasked the Minister of Health whether the refusal to extend the free period of insurance to Mr. L. Stephenson, of 10, Richard Street, Jarrow, was due to his not being available for work during the period April-September, 1933; whether he is aware that this unavailability was entirely due to his serving a term of imprisonment because of his activities during an unemployment march in Durham; and whether, in view of the fact that his imprisonment was due to political activities and not to moral turpitude, he can review the case?
§ Sir K. WOODI am aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers. I have no power to vary the provisions of the Acts which make continuance of insurance during unemployment conditional upon availability for work.
§ Miss WILKINSONIn considering the question of availability or non-availability, must not some regard be paid to the circumstances in which the man is available or not available, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this case the man was imprisoned because of acts arising out of the protest during the unemployment agitation?
§ Sir K. WOODI understand he was imprisoned for assaulting the police.