§ 13. Mr. Walter Fletcherasked the Minister of National Insurance what steps he proposes to take to rectify the anomaly arising from the fact that, during the recent crisis, people who became unemployed after 10th February did not have to put in the three waiting days before drawing benefits, whereas the mass of people rendered unemployed owing to the coal shortage before 10th February had to put in three waiting days.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThe requirement of three waiting days still remains, but any such days occurring on or after 10th February may be paid for later, if certain conditions as to continuing unemployment are satisfied. On whatever date a change of this nature had been introduced, there would inevitably be a difference between the treatment of past cases and of those arising subsequently, but this cannot be regarded as an anomaly.
§ Mr. FletcherIn view of the fact that the day chosen has no real substance, the stoppage having started a long time before, will he reconsider cases anterior to that date?
§ Mr. GriffithsThis change had to be made by regulation, and there are certain limitations which this House places on Ministers in making their regulations retrospective.