§ Mr. T. GRIFFITHSasked the Minister of Labour whether any instructions have been issued to local employment committees in connection with the consideration of claims for the six weeks' extension of unemployment benefit; and, if so, will he state their nature?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAA memorandum, of which I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend has been issued to local employment committees setting out the conditions for the grant of the six weeks' extension of benefit. These conditions were summarised in the reply given to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough West (Mr. T. Thomson) on 17th February last.
§ Mr. R. J. DAVIESasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the discontent prevailing among unmarried persons in connection with inquiries made into their private affairs and the administration of unemployment benefit for the additional six weeks; and whether he will inquire into the matter and take action to remove the causes of this discontent?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAUnder the authority contained in Section 3 of the second Unemployment Insurance Act, 1921, I have decided, in order to conserve the fund for those most in need of it, that the six weeks' extension of benefit should not be granted to single men and women who are maintained wholly or mainly by their relatives. It is accordingly necessary for inquiries to be made in respect of such applicants. I have no reason to suppose that these inquiries are made otherwise than with every care and consideration.