§ Mr. J. DAVISONasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the hardship inflicted on workmen who are deprived of unemployment benefit by reason of the employers having given prolonged holidays; and whether any time limit is set to these holidays before workmen are entitled to benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Act?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThe rule as laid down by the Umpire in cases of suspension is that, subject to the operation of the rule as to a waiting week, benefit is paid for the period of suspension except for any days of customary holiday occurring within the period of suspension. If, however, the suspension covers 12 consecutive working days exclusive of the customary holidays, the holidays also are taken into account for the purpose of benefit (or of the waiting week where this has not already been served).