§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that throughout the bedstead industry, with the exception of London, arrangements were 317W made more than 12 months ago by which certain bonuses are paid to the workmen whether or not they are employed the whole of their time; that since 3rd January some 500 or 600 men, mostly in the Midlands, have been on short time and have been receiving a proportion of their bonus according to agreement and also their State unemployment insurance, the latter on the decision of the chief insurance officer; that this officer has now reversed his decision and given instructions that State pay to these men must be suspended; whether such a course is calculated to penalise the making of provision for slumps in trade and is, in fact, an act of injustice to these men; and whether he will arrange for the continuance of the payment of State insurance until at least the case has been heard and pronounced upon by the court of referees and, if necessary, disposed of by the umpire?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI understand that the facts are as stated by my hon. Friend, and that the result of an appeal to the court of referees is that the decision of the insurance officer has been upheld. The association concerned is entitled to appeal to the umpire for an authoritative decision, and the Department will give every facility in their power in order to enable the hearing of such an appeal to be expedited. The payment of benefit pending appeal to the umpire from a decision of a court of referees disallowing benefit is not permissible under the Unemployment Insurance Act.