§ Mr. N. MACLEANasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that men who have been working short time in the engineering trade and drawing unemployment benefit for the alternate weeks during which they were unemployed have been notified that those men who went on short time after 6th March have to have their unemployment benefit stopped pending a settlement of the engineers' lockout; whether he can state if this action is taken by the local Exchanges on the instructions of the Ministry of Labour; and, if so, what are the reasons that have led to such instructions being issued?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend on 5th April, workers previously on short time, who lost their employment owing to a stoppage due to a dispute at their place of employment, are disqualified for unemployment benefit in accordance with decisions given given in similar cases by the Umpire. Such cases are referred to the Insurance Officer under the standing instructions given to the Exchanges. It is of course open to the applicant or his trade union to appeal against the disallowance in any particular case.