§ Mr. HOLDSWORTH (by Private Notice)asked the Minister of Labour whether any provision exists within the Unemployment Insurance Acts to prevent hardship in respect of the statutory waiting period in the case of those men and women thrown out of work by the recent failure of the electricity supply in Bradford?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADThe provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Acts with regard to the requirement of a waiting week apply to all cases, subject to the rules as to continuity of unemployment, and there is no authority to dispense with this requirement in particular cases.
§ Mr. HOLDSWORTHIs the hon. and gallant Member aware that these men, through no fault of their own, have lost a week's work, suffered grievous hardship, and will he consult the Minister of Health as to whether some special provision can be made to cover these particular cases?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADI am aware of the unfortunate circumstances to which the hon. Member refers, and I will certainly ask my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to consider the suggestion he has made. I am afraid, however, that under the insurance scheme no action of the kind suggested by the hon. Member can be taken.
§ Mr. THORNECannot the hon. and gallant Member advise the Statutory Committee that they should recommend a reduction of the waiting period?
§ Mr. LEACHCould not the hon. and gallant Member for once in a way waive the regulations? Nobody would find the least fault with him.
§ Mr. HOLDSWORTHCan anything be done through the Unemployment Assistance Board in this special case?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADThat is a matter for the board to consider.