§ Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been directed to the cases of men who have paid unemployment insurance contributions, are now out of work as regards their main occupation, but are denied unemployment insurance benefit because of an interest in small business or other undertakings giving them part-time occupation, although their existing income is inadequate for the maintenance of their homes, and their total income when in full employment is not sufficient to exempt them from payment of contribution; whether these men have been notified at the Exchanges that they must continue to pay contribution, but, even if they are unemployed as regards regular work, they cannot draw allowance so long as they have the business interest referred to; and whether, as this means 1269W that these men must pay for a benefit for which they will not normally become eligible at any time, he will take steps to revise the Regulations, either to secure benefit when required, or exempt them from the payment of contribution?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAUnder Section 7 (2) (a) of the Act a person is not entitled to benefit on any day on which he is following any occupation from which he derives remuneration or profit unless that occupation has ordinarily been followed by him in addition to his usual employment, and outside ordinary working hours, and the remuneration received therefrom in respect of that day does not exceed 3s. 4d. The authoritative interpretation of this provision in any case of doubt rests with the umpire. The provision is statutory, and I have no power to modify it. I should add that where the contributor has paid more than he has received in benefit he is, subject to certain conditions, entitled to receive a refund of his contributions with interest on reaching the age of 60.