HC Deb 28 March 1923 vol 162 cc565-6W
Mr. E. DAVIES

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a person by the name of Henry Jarcomozze, an Italian by birth, has worked at the No. 1 colliery, Warren Flwyd, Ebbw Vale, for 18 years; that he has now been idle for the past two years, and only received unemployment benefit for 14 weeks in 1921; and will he, under such circumstances, instruct the manager of the local Employment Exchange to place this man oil the list for unemployment benefit in future?

Mr. BETTERTON

I am having inquiry made into this case, but I should mention that under the existing rules uncovenanted benefit would not ordinarily be payable to aliens. My right hon. Friend is, however, considering afresh, in accordance with the promise he gave during the passage of the Insurance Bill, the question whether, and under what conditions, uncovenanted benefit may be paid to aliens of long residence in the United Kingdom.

Mr. F. HALL

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the many complaints being received regarding the non-payment of unemployment benefit on the ground of alleged lack of evidence that the claimant has endeavoured to find work; and whether, seeing that the Scottish divisional controller gave an assurance to the Parliamentary Committee of the Scottish Trade Union Congress that the signature of a trade union official would be accepted as sufficient evidence, he will have this acted upon throughout the whole country?

Mr. BETTERTON

Applicants for uncovenanted benefit have to satisfy the local employment committees that they are genuinely seeking whole-time employment. In this connection full weight would always be given to information furnished by an official of the applicant's trade union.

Mr. SHORT

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that. G. Lovell, 28, Catherine's Cross, Darlaston, was employed at Messrs. Isaiah Platts. Limited, on a capstan lathe; that he was instructed to perform on another class of work which involved a reduction in his earnings; that, after a trial, he raised an objection and was given his discharge by the firm; that his unemployment benefit was disallowed for six weeks on the ground that he had refused work; and-that at the expiration of the six weeks he was refused benefit altogether and informed he had no right of appeal; and, if so, will he have the fullest inquiries made into this case?

Sir M. BARLOW

I am making inquiries locally and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

Mr. SHORT

asked the Minister of Labour the number of single persons whose applications for unemployment benefit. have been disallowed by the Wednesbury, Darlaston, and Tipton Employment Exchanges, respectively, during 1922 and for the current year up to date?

Sir M. BARLOW

I regret that as the statistics available do not distinguish between single and married persons, I am unable to give the information desired. It would be a laborious task to extract this information from the original records.