§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is now in a position to say whether out-of-work donations will now be paid to the temporary postmen in Belfast who have been discharged since the cessation of hostilities; (2) what has been the result of the inquiry into the position of the girls out of work at the Belfast ropeworks; and whether the out-of-work donation will not be granted to these workers?
§ Sir R. HORNEDecisions in both cases will be made within the next few days, and I will not fail to let the hon. Member know what the decisions are.
§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of men of the Mercantile Marine service now out of employment in Belfast have been refused out-of-work grants because of their inability to produce unemployment cards; whether these cards are not used in the merchant service, the men's books being sufficient evidence of unemployment; whether according to the regulations issued by the Unemployment Bureau, if any man can prove he has done any actual service for the country, he is then entitled to draw the money; and whether, in view of the splendid services rendered by the men of the Mercantile Marine service all through the War, he will take immediate steps to have them paid the unemployment grant?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am aware that members of the Mercantile Marine are not in Ireland eligible for out-of-work donation under the modified scheme which now obtains in that country. I am also aware that unemployment insurance cards are not used in the Mercantile Marine; indeed, the fact that the Mercantile Marine are not compulsorily insured against unemployment is the reason why its members are not at present included in the Irish donation scheme. The question of making a special Order to include them in618W the scheme is already under consideration in consultation with the Treasury and the Ministry of Shipping.