§ Mr. E. HARMSWORTHasked the Minister of Labour whether any action is to be taken in the case of unskilled women drawing unemployment pay and who refuse domestic service?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI may remind my hon. Friend that claimants for unemployment benefit are required by the conditions of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, to satisfy the statutory conditions, in particular to prove that they are capable of and available for work, but unable to obtain suitable employment. The refusal of apparently suitable employment by a claimant for benefit would involve the suspension of such benefit, subject to the claimant's right of appeal to a court of referees. It is desirable that Employment Exchanges should be informed in any case in which a person qualified for domestic service has refused such employment.
Mr. MACLEANasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Alexander Ferguson, 131, Rotten Row, Town-head, Glasgow, applied for out-of-work benefit at the labour exchange at 222, Sauchiehall Street, on 22nd October, 1920, and was paid 11s., which was later raised to 15s; that this man was only 1165W paid 81 days when his benefit was stopped and he was refused a hearing; whether this man this been a contributor to the Art ever since its commencement; whether he is aware that this is the first time he has had to claim benefit; and whether he will give instructions for the reconsideration of this matter, as well as ask for the reasons which caused the local exchange to stop paying benefit?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am having inquiry made into this matter, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.