§ 2. Mr. Oliverasked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider making an amendment to the Insurance Benefit Regulations, 1936, to provide that an unemployed insured man, whose wife is in receipt of health insurance benefit, shall be allowed to draw dependants benefit in respect of her from the date his unemployment commences instead of the date of his application for such benefit, if the application is delayed by reason of his lack of knowledge of his rights in this regard?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Lennox-Boyd)Regulations made under Section 39 (2) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1935, enable an earlier date to be substi- 268 tuted for the date of an application for dependants benefit in cases in which good cause is shown for delay in making the application. The question whether in a particular case the insured contributor shows good cause for delay is, like all other questions of title to benefit, determined by the independent statutory authorities.
§ Mr. OliverWill the Parliamentary Secretary apply himself to the question whether the Minister is prepared to amend the Regulations so that the statement he has read shall not apply?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Regulations at present allow for delayed applications for benefit in cases in which good cause is shown for delay. As at present advised I see no reason for holding out any promise of a change.
§ Mr. OliverIs not the hon. Member aware that these unemployed men are denied benefit because they are ignorant of their rights under the Statute to draw benefit? Will he make representations to his right hon. Friend the Minister to see whether an amendment cannot be made so that unemployed men are not denied their rights when Parliament has decreed that they shall have this benefit?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIf the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad to have it brought to my notice. In general, the fact that if reasonable cause is shown redress is possible meets the average good case.
§ 7. Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in a number of cases unemployment benefit had been refused to workers who had received sums far less than their normal wages during the holiday period; and what steps he proposes to take to secure an alteration?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydMy right hon. Friend has under consideration the recent report by the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee on this and allied questions.
§ Mr. ManderIs it proposed to introduce legislation on the subject during the present Session, or can it be done by administrative action?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe propose first to consider the report.
§ Mr. LawsonCan we expect an early decision by the Government based on that report?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAs early a decision as is practicable.