§ Sir R. ASKEasked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that many men are being refused unemployment benefit as not being normally engaged in 1156W an insurable employment on the ground that they have not been employed during the last three or four years; that this is a cause of hardship, particularly in shipbuilding areas where there has been great unemployment for some years; and whether she will favourably consider the feasibility of issuing a memorandum to insurance officers to the effect that unemployment for a period of years is not to be regarded as in itself a disqualification for benefit?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe position is not as stated in the first part, of this question. I am sending the hon. Member copies of certain leading decisions of the Umpire from which he will see, for example, that the period taken is five years rather than three or four and that various factors, including severe industrial depression in the distict, are taken into account. As regards the last part of the question, the initial decision that benefit is not payable is given by Courts of Referees and not by insurance officers. I have no authority to issue any directions to Courts of Referees but they are supplied with copies of the Umpire's decisions, which are binding upon them.