§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the hardships involved in the incidence of the application of the powers of local rota committees connected with the granting of extended benefits under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, inasmuch as many persons still complain that, although they-present notes from the different employers stating that application has been made for work, they have still been refused benefit on the ground that they were not genuinely seeking employment; and whether he will issue instructions upon this point, accepting such notes from firms as proof of genuine application, and the consequent granting of benefit?
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§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary on 16th February to the hon. Member for the Hartlepools. The production of such notes is not necessarily a proof ofbona fide search for work, nor is failure to produce them necessarily proof of the contrary. The instructions which committees already have laid down are what I consider to be the proper line, and I am afraid I cannot see my way to alter them as suggested.