§ 13. Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what representations she has received urging her to amend the existing law with regard to the payment of unemployment benefit to workmen suspended from work because of an industrial dispute in which the workman himself has played no part; and what action she intends to take thereon.
§ Mr. HattersleyThis is among the questions which the Royal Commission on Trade Unions and Employers' Associations was asked to examine. When the Commission reports it will be for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Social Security to consider any proposal it may make.
§ Mr. HoosonCould not the hon. Gentleman indicate the Ministry's attitude to this problem, as it appears to people outside to be grossly unfair that a man who is suspended because of a dispute in which he takes no part is refused unemployment benefit by the Ministry?
§ Mr. HattersleyI am sure that the hon. and learned Gentleman does not expect me to indicate the Ministry's attitude on any problem a few weeks before the Royal Commission reports. This is what the Royal Commission is intended to do. Our task is to examine its report after it has been published.