§ 2. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that conditions in the Western Isles are anomalous with regard to the working of the unemployment insurance system, he can now state when he intends to introduce special legislation covering especially the inequitable treatment of seasonal men and women workers?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am not aware that the Seasonal Workers' Regulations, which were reviewed and amended in 1935, operate inequitably, and do not contemplate special legislation of the kind suggested.
§ Mr. MacMillanIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware of the statement made some time ago that the conditions in the Western Isles were entirely different from the conditions anywhere else, and does he not think that we are justified in asking for special legislation to be introduced to prevent the unemployment insurance scheme working inequitably?
§ Mr. BrownIt is for that reason that I proposed the question to the Statutory Committee more than two years ago, and as a result, with the concurrence of the House, introduced amended regulations for that purpose.
§ Mr. MacMillanIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the regulations are working badly and that is the reason why we want special legislation?
§ Mr. BrownI do not think they have worked badly. I think they have been most effective for the purpose for which they were passed by the Labour Government in 1931.