§ Mr. HOGGEasked the Minister of Labour whether instructions were issued to Employment Exchange officials to refuse benefit to men on the march even though they were prepared to take work en route; and, if so, whether these instructions were issued generally or only to Scottish Exchanges?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThe question whether unemployment benefit is payable in any particular case rests with the Umpire, whose decision is final and conclusive. The Umpire has held, in cases submitted to him, that persons who are engaged in a march such as that to which the hon. Member refers fail to satisfy the statutory conditions and are not entitled to benefit. Instructions in accordance with this decision were issued to all Employment Exchanges in the usual way.