§ Colonel YATEasked the Minister of Labour what are the out-of-work allowances granted to munition workers on discharge; and how these out-of-work allowances compare with the allowances granted to officers and men on demobilisation?
§ Mr. WARDLECivilian workers, including munition workers, are entitled under certain conditions to receive out-of-work donation for a maximum of thirteen weeks during the six months from 25th November, 1918, at a weekly rate of 29s. for men and 25s. for women, with supplementary allowances for dependent children. Demobilised members of His Majesty's Forces below commissioned rank are entitled to out-of-work donation at the same weekly rates, but for a longer period, namely, for a maximum of twenty-six weeks during the twelve months following their personal demobilisation. They also receive four weeks' furlough with full pay and allowances after leaving their units, a suit of clothes, or cash allowance in lieu, as well as a special gratuity. The scheme of out-of-work donation does not apply to commissioned officers, who, however, receive a special rate of gratuity.
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§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he proposes to institute an inquiry into the abuses that have arisen in Great Britain in relation to the scheme for granting out-of-work donations and the administration of such scheme; and what steps he proposes to take to check these abuses; (2) whether he is aware that the present scheme for granting out-of-work donations in Great Britain has led to widely-extended idleness and refusal to work, to scarcity of labour for industrial, agricultural, and other purposes, and to a waste of public money; and whether he will at once take steps to stop this waste of public money and to hand over the money so saved to the Government to be extended on useful purposes?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe administration of the out-of-work donation scheme is being carefully watched, with a, view to preventing any abuse of its provisions. I am not aware of any facts which would justify a restriction of the scheme in Great Britain, but if the hon. Member will supply me with the information on which he bases his suggestions I will have inquiry made.
§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the manager of the Unemployment Exchange in Belfast has issued a circular to the women workers stating that every worker who has domestic ties, and who has been in receipt of out-of-work donation for a period of four weeks, and is still unemployed, is required to find work within a fortnight, and that, failing this, the donation benefit will be suspended; whether he can say on whose authority this document has been issued; and will he explain its meaning?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe procedure which is referred to in the question, is not quite accurately described. The circular mentioned relates to the cases of women with domestic ties for whom suitable local employment is not available, and who refuse employment away from home. In such cases it is necessary to guard against the abuse of the donation scheme which would arise if these women were allowed to remain indefinitely on donation, irrespective of the circumstances. Instructions have accordingly been issued that when such a woman has been on donation for four weeks she should be given a period of a fortnight in which either to find employment for herself in her own neigh-1306W bourhood or to make such arrangements, as will enable her to take up work available in another district. If she fails to do either, the matter is referred to the local Court of Referees for decision, and the woman concerned has a full opportunity of stating her case to the Court.