§ 47. Mr. John Hallasked the Minister of Labour for what types of employment Mr. Bernard Davies, at present receiving unemployment benefit at Hammersmith Employment Exchange, is officially registered.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodIt is the Ministry's policy to treat as confidential all information furnished by persons who register at employment exchanges. I regret, therefore, that I cannot give the information my hon. Friend has asked for.
§ Mr. HallIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a certain feeling about this case? Although no one would deny anybody the right to draw unemployment benefit, whatever his financial circumstances, if an individual is registered for one profession only and is prepared to accept a position only in that profession, what will be the position of a Member of Parliament, from either side of the House, who unfortunately loses his job at 1117 the next election? Will he be able to draw unemployment pay until he can get another seat?
§ Mr. MacleodI have no idea of the answer to the second part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question. I hope not to have reason to find out. I know that there is some interest in this case, but we must preserve the rule that we do not discuss the individual circumstances of claimants to unemployment benefit.