§ 1. Mr. H. G. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Labour whether, with a view to the provision of increased reserves to meet the burden of a future depression in trade, he will utilise a part of the surplus of the Unemployment Insurance 2 Fund for the purpose of a more rapid reduction in the funded debt of the fund?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Mr. Ernest Brown)No part of the Unemployment Fund can be treated as a disposable surplus unless and until it is so declared by the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee and any such surplus can be applied to reduce the debt of the Fund only upon the recommendation of the Statutory Committee. I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to paragraph 33 of the Committee's report of 7th February last. (House of Commons Paper 50.)
§ Mr. MAXTONWill the right hon. Gentleman suggest to the Statutory Committee that raising the benefits would be snore appropriate than the payment of debt?
§ 2. Mr. ROLAND ROBINSONasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the mounting surplus of the Unemployment Insurance Fund, he will ask the Statutory Committee to reconsider the position of the seasonal worker?
§ Mr. BROWNNo, Sir. The position of seasonal workers was reviewed by the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee only last year and the Committee's recommendations were embodied in an Order which after debate the House approved without a Division on 31st July,1935.
§ Mr. ROBINSONIs it not a fact that the vast majority of the representations made to my right hon. Friend with regard to this surplus have been in favour of removing such anomalies rather than in favour of reducing contributions?
§ Mr. BROWNThe answer to my hon. Friend is that the committee reviewed the whole circumstances, and the Order passed was in the direction of easing the anomalies.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWill the right hon. Gentleman consider taking fishermen into this scheme: in fact, should not everybody be brought in?