UNEMPLOYMENT FUND. (Hansard, 1 February 1938)

§ 62. Mr. Lyons
asked the Minister of Labour the balance standing to the credit of the Unemployment Fund as at 1st January, 1938?

§ Mr. E. Brown
On 1st January, 1938, the total balance of the Unemployment Fund was about £62,200,000.

§ Mr. Ellis Smith
Will the Minister point out to the Statutory Committee the urgent necessity of increasing unemployment benefit?

§ Mr. Brown
The Statutory Committee have already met and received representations, and they will, in due course, make their report to the Minister, probably in about a fortnight's time.

§ 67. Mr. R. Robinson
asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the surplus in the Unemployment Fund, he will review the position of seasonal workers?

§ Mr. Brown
As I informed my hon. Friend on 23rd December, I have brought his suggestion to the notice of the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee whose duty it is to make recommendations as to the disposal of any surplus of the Unemployment Fund.

§ Mr. Robinson
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that seasonal workers are still very dissatisfied with their position in unemployment insurance, and, in view of the great surplus in the Fund, can the Minister not remove this small anomaly?

§ Mr. Brown
I have no doubt that the Statutory Committee will receive evidence on all kinds of subjects and will give them the relative importance that seems due.

Miss Rathbone
Will the Minister remember also that women workers get a very unfair deal?

§ Mr. Brown
I believe that that point has already been brought to the notice of the Committee but not in quite those terms.