§ Mr. TOUCHEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the form of notice sent to claimants to unemployed benefit informing them of the time and date at which their claim has been set down for consideration at a sitting of the Court of Referees, in case they should desire to be present during its consideration, says that no expenses can be allowed, either in respect of the claimant's attendance or that of his representative; and will he say whether an allowance is made for loss of time, if the workman concerned is in employment and is 1516W requested to attend a sitting; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of amending the form of notice?
Mr. ROBERTSONExpenses are allowed if the workman is requested by the Court to attend. In all cases notice of the hearing is sent to the workman, and there are two forms of notice. If the workman is requested to attend, the request is contained in the notice, which also states that expenses will be allowed in accordance with the authorised scale. If there is no request to attend, the notice expressly states that the expenses will not be allowed. I am sending copies of the two forms of notice to the hon. Member.