§ 27. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Minister of Labour what number of people and what percentage to the population is unemployed, including all classes, in the outer islands of Inverness, and Ross and Cromarty; and what plans he has to deal with the problem and to provide employment in the near future?
§ Mr. E. BrownAt 17th January, 1938, 3,720 persons, aged 16–64, insured under the general scheme of unemployment insurance, and 63 under the agricultural scheme, were recorded as unemployed at 522 the Stornoway Exchange, representing 66.9 per cent. and 48.5 per cent., respectively, of the numbers of unemployment books exchanged. These figures were largely inflated by seasonal causes and there are other reasons why I have thought it desirable to ask the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee to examine the significance of the figures. With regard to the second part of the question, the conditions in the Highlands and Islands are, as the hon. Member is aware, being examined by a sub-committee of the Economic Committee of the Scottish Development Council. I understand that the report of this committee is expected at an early date. The hon. Member will also be aware of the measures of development for the crofting counties which have recently been sanctioned.
§ 28. Mr. MacMillanasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that recently unemployed men in the island of South Uist were invited to take jobs on the mainland, and, on accepting, were told the jobs were not available, while others who accepted on conditions safe guarding their interests on the island were disqualified for benefit; and what steps he is taking against any officials at fault and to prevent such treatment of unemployed persons in future?
§ Mr. BrownI am having inquiries made and will communicate with the hon. Member as early as possible.
§ Mr. MacMillanWill the right hon. Gentleman investigate other cases where people are asked to fulfil the impossible condition of leaving their small holdings to accept work by going elsewhere at lower wages on road-making, and so on?
§ 29. Mr. MacMillanasked the Minister of Labour whether he will now consider legislation in the interest of many fish-workers in the Western Isles coming under seasonal regulations, who are now penalised because it is impossible to fulfil the condition of employment in Stornoway in past or coming fishing seasons; and when that legislation is likely to come?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe information at present before me does not indicate that it is desirable to amend the Unemployment 523 Insurance Act, 1935, in relation to seasonal workers. The seasonal workers regulations were reviewed and amended in 1935.
§ Mr. MacMillanIs the Minister aware that under the present system many injustices are being perpetrated and continued, and that many people are being penalised by not being able to fulfil conditions which are practically impossible, and will he do something about it?
§ Mr. BrownThe hon. Member asked about employment in Stornoway. This legislation was passed in 1931, and he will understand that it has been amended since, and that Stornoway is more favourably placed than some fishing centres, because as he will recognise, there is a winter as well as a summer season.
§ Mr. MacMillanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Stornoway many people come from districts outside, and when employment is not available, they cannot fulfil the conditions?
§ Mr. MacMillanWill the right hon. Gentleman look into these complications and do away with the injustice? That is the question?
§ Mr. BrownWhen the hon. Member talks about injustice he must remember that it was his own party that passed the legislation under which the injustice is done.
§ Mr. MacMillanWill the Minister give an undertaking to do something to try to do away with this injustice, which is manifest even to himself?