§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Miss Lilian A, Moore, who is about 17 years of age, is registered at the Employment Exchange, Abbots Road, Poplar; that she was discharged from the Express Rubber Company, Worship Street, Finsbury Square, on 16th December, 1922; that she received unemployment pay for three consecutive weeks, the last amount being received on 26th January, 1923; that she was offered a situation of domestic service in Sutton, Surrey, which is about 15 miles from where she lives; that Miss L. Moore is the eldest of 10 children, having nine brothers and one sister, all living at home, five being under 14 years of age and still going to school, the youngest not being two years old; that she was one of the chief supporters of the household when working at the rubber works, and, in consequence, Miss Moore states that she was not used to domestic service, and as she was one of the chief supporters of the household, she could not see her way clear to accept the position of a domestic servant; if he is aware that she is now refused her unemployment pay; and if he will take action in the matter?
§ Mr. BETTERTON:I am making inquiry into this case and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.
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§ Mr. MUIRasked the Minister of Labour if he can now give the number of men, of women, of boys and girls, respectively, between the ages of 16 and 18, and of boys and girls between 18 and 21, who were affected by the gap period in unemployment benefit during the month of February?
§ Mr. BETTERTONAt 5th March, the numbers who hadexhausted the maximum benefit permissible under the existing Acts were:
Men 31,276 Women 2,912 Boys (aged 16 to 18) 365 Girls (aged 16 to 18) 152 In addition, the following numbers had been refused further benefit by the local Employment Committees before reaching the maximum:
Men 12,009 Women 4,832 Boys (aged 16 to 18) 1,409 Girls (aged 16 to 18) 858 It is not possible to give separate figures for persons of the ages 18 to 21 years.