§ 10. Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Minister of Labour whether it is the practice, pending the institution of more efficient protection for trawlers fishing in the North Sea, to disqualify from unemployment benefit all men of whatever age with large family responsibilities who decline seagoing employment; and whether he has considered the possibility of removing such a disqualification until some arrangements are made for the payment of adequate compensation to the families of any men injured or killed?
§ Mr. E. BrownIn the time available I have not been able to make the requisite inquiries, and to facilitate such inquiries I should be obliged if the hon. Member would send me particulars of any specific cases which he has in mind. I would remind him that the question whether a claim for benefit should be allowed is a matter, not for me, but for independent statutory authorities, whose duty and practice it is to take into account the relevant considerations in each individual case.
§ Mr. Garro JonesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this question is based upon a long answer which he gave to me by correspondence and in which he invited me to put this question as a supplementary question?