§ Mr. FINNEYasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to resolutions passed at the meeting of the North Staffordshire Trades and Labour Council, representing about 80,000 organised workers, protesting against Section 8 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, respecting persons who may be indirectly affected through a stoppage of work, and claiming that where a person has been partially employed previous to any dispute, such person shall be entitled to benefits under the Unemployment Insurance Act, and also protesting against the delays involved in the manner in which Courts of Referees are held in this district: and whether he will inquire into the matter?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI have seen the resolution to which my hon. Friend refers. My right hon. Friend has already undertaken to appoint a Committee to consider the operation of Section 8 (1) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920. As regards the disqualification of persons partially employed prior to the dispute, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to1736W the hon. Member for Newton (Mr. R. Young) on 3rd May, of which I am sending him a copy. I am making inquiries in regard to the alleged delays in holding the Courts of Referees in the North Staffordshire district.