Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Minister of Labour whether special consideration 716W can be shown to the claims of labourers thrown out of work by the moulders' strike who are being refused unemployment benefit, whilst engineers and pattern-makers similarly affected are receiving unemployment pay?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe general position of workmen who are unemployed owing to a stoppage of work due to a trade dispute was explained in the reply given to a question asked by the hon. Member for Newton on the 5th November last. The rule applicable in this connection is statutory, being laid down in Section 87 (1) of the National Insurance Act, 1911, and I have therefore no discretion in the matter.