Mr. MACLEANasked the Minister of Labour whether a number of women who were unemployed for several weeks before the engineering lock-out commenced, and who drew Unemployment Benefit during the dispute, have now had their benefit stopped, on the ground that their unemployment is now due to a trade dispute: and if such an instruction was issued from his Department?
§ Dr. MACNAMARASo far as I am aware, benefit has not been disallowed on account of the trade dispute in cases where claimants definitely lost their employment before the dispute. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the women to whom be refers I will have inquiries made.
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Captain TERRELLasked the Minister of Labour if he will give the amounts paid out in Unemployment Benefit for each of the last six months; whether the existing financial arrangements permit of the continuance throughout the summer of this rate of payment without further provision both by the State and by the contributories; and, if not, what action he proposes to take?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe amount paid out in Unemployment Benefit (including Dependent's Grants) for each of the last six months for which figures are available is as follows:
Month. Amount. 1921. £ November … 3,592,000 December (5 pay weeks) … 6,217,000 1922. January … 5,306,000 February … 5,270,000 March (5 pay weeks) … 5,760,000 April … 3,888,000 I have no reason to suppose that I shall not be able to carry out the provision contemplated by the Act passed last April, without further demand upon the three parties contributory to the fund.