§ Sir H. HOPEasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the case of six women workers at Ferryden, Forfarshire, who were engaged at potato dressing for nine months, and who were then forced to contribute to the unemployment insurance, and who have since been out of work for five weeks and are now refused any unemployment benefit; and whether he will inquire into the case with a view to granting benefit?
§ Mr. BETTERTONInquiries have been made, as the result of which it appears that in the circumstances of the cases to which it is thought reference is made, the work upon which the women were employed was such as to render their employment, in the view of my Department, employment in agriculture, and, therefore excepted from the Unemployment. Insurance Acts. These women are consequently not entitled to unemployment benefit, but as the contributions were paid in the erroneous belief that they were properly payable, the employer and the employed persons will be entitled, on making a claim in the prescribed manner, to obtain a refund of the contributions paid by them respectively.