§ Brought from the Commons; and read 1a.
§ Then, Standing Order No. XXXIX having been suspended:
§ 4.47 p.m.
§ EARL STANHOPEMy Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. The main object of the Bill is to effect a simplification of the unemployment insurance scheme so that it will be reasonably practicable to operate it in war-time conditions. The employment exchanges will be heavily pressed with other duties, such as the supply of labour for war-time work, and they may have to deal with an increased number of unemployed persons. Some modifications of the present complex scheme are therefore essential. The Bill gives power to the Minister to make necessary modifications by means of regulations subject to the approval of the Treasury, but certain of the provisions of the Act, which I am sure your Lordships will feel should be left out of such an emergency measure, cannot be modified by the Bill now before your Lordships. These provisions are those relating to the rates of benefit, the rates of contributions, the equal-thirds contribution from the Exchequer and the provisions relating to Treasury advances to the Unemployment Fund.
The principal changes proposed to be made by regulations are, firstly, suspension of certificates excepting or exempting persons from liability to insure; secondly, temporary suspension of the provisions relating to the return of contributions erroneously paid; thirdly, adjusting benefit periods in view of the fact that past records will be unavailable; fourthly, relaxation of benefit conditions in favour of persons taking in official refugees and in favour of persons claiming dependants' benefit. There will also be a number of changes including extension of the powers of insurance officers designed to simplify administration. In view of the urgency of making regulations the procedure for their submission to the Unemployment Statutory Committee will not apply, but they will be laid before Parliament and can be annulled if an Address is presented by either House within the next twenty days on which that House has sat. The necessary powers in these 996 respects are given in Clause 1 of the Bill. Clause 3 enables the Parliament of Northern Ireland to pass similar legislation, and the remaining clauses are consequential and formal. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a (Earl Stanhope.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a: Committee negatived.
§ Bill read 3a, and passed, and a Message sent to the Commons to acquaint them therewith.