Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to 531W the conviction on 15th October, 1919, of a carman named James Simpson for obtaining out-of-work pay, although earning over 30s. a day; whether unemployment allowances are paid on the unsupported statements of the applicants and without investigation; if not, will he state the reason for the constant occurrence of cases of this kind; and whether, on release from imprisonment, this man will, under the existing Regulations, be entitled to receive unemployment pay in the event of his not obtaining work?
§ Sir R. HORNEMy attention has been called to this case. Claims to out-of-work donation are not by any means admitted on the unsupported statements of the applicant; on the contrary, each case is carefully inquired into, and a special staff is employed in investigating cases of suspicion, In the circumstances, the fact that there have been only 842 convictions for frauds of all kinds in connection with out-of-work donation, justifies me in denying the suggestion that frauds of this kind are of constnat occurrence. Under existing Regulations a conviction for fraud does not in itself cancel the right to donation if the conditions are otherwise fulfilled.