§ Mr. MARCHasked the Minister of Labour what is the procedure adopted to secure that no payment of unemployment benefit is made to a person while in receipt of an old age pension; and whether he is supplied with the names and addresses of old age pensioners?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThe instructions to the local officers of my Department provide that where an applicant for unemployment benefit declares his age as 70 years or over, or appears to be 70 years of age, the disqualification for unemployment benefit resulting from the receipt of an old age pension shall be brought specially to his notice, and if he denies that he is in receipt of such a pension, inquiry shall be made of the local old age pensions officer in the matter. Close co-operation exists between the local officers of my Department and the Board of Customs who have authorised the local pensions officers to give to the local Exchange officers the necessary information. Lists of the names and addresses of all old age pensioners are not furnished to my Department, as it would be a cumbrous process to keep such lists up-to-date and the above-mentioned procedure renders them unnecessary.