§ Mr. J. BROWNasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that workmen formerly employed either by private firms or the county council in Zetland have been disqualified for unemployment benefit because they were tenants of crofts, although they had paid the contributions laid down under the Unemployment Insurance Acts; and whether this decision has been approved?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe decision in these cases rests with the Insurance Officer, from whom an appeal may be made to the Court of Referees and, in certain circumstances, to the Umpire, whose decision is final. The principal question with regard to crofters is 2137W whether they can be considered to be unemployed having regard to Section 7 (2) (a) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920. If a claimant normally carried on his croft in addition to his main insurable occupation, and outside the ordinary working hours of that occupation, benefit would, generally speaking, be payable, provided that he did not earn more than 3s. 4d. per day from the croft. Otherwise, he could not be deemed to be unemployed. I am making inquiries with regard to the position in Zetland and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.