§ 40. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been directed to the high percentage of claims disallowed by courts of referees; and will he consider taking administrative action in order to bring about a more sympathetic and uniform administration?
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)I have no ground for thinking that the percentage is higher than would be expected or that the work is lacking either in sympathy or in uniformity. It should be noted that the vast majority of claims for unemployment benefits are allowed by the insurance officers without reference to the courts of referees, and that it is only cases in which doubts arise that are referred to the courts. As indicating the manner in which the courts perform their work, I may mention that of the cases disallowed by the courts less than 1 per cent. were subsequently reversed by the umpire on appeal. I regard the manner in which the court 23 perform their duties as satisfactory, and I do not therefore propose to take any action.
§ Mr. BrownThe total number of claims in the 51 weeks ending 31st December, 1936, was 9,430,000 of which 448,958 came before the courts of referees and 337,062 were disallowed.
§ Mr. E. SmithOf the cases referred to the courts of referees is it not a fact that 7o per cent. are disallowed and is not that a rather high percentage?
§ Mr. BrownNo, and it is a comment on the efficiency with which the insurance officers do their work in the 9,000,000 cases.
§ Mr. GoldieCan the Minister say how many cases came before the umpires?
§ Mr. G. GriffithsIs the written evidence of the employers taken in these cases, although the appellant appears in person? Can the Minister not force the employer to give evidence in person?
§ Mr. BateyDoes not the Minister think that if over 300,000 cases are rejected out of 400,000 it is a high percentage?