§ Sir C. STARMERasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that unemployed men complain that, after taking notes from different employers stating that they have applied for and not obtained work, they have been refused unemployment benefit on the grounds that they were not genuinely seeking work; and whether instructions have been issued on this subject by his Department?
§ Mr. SHAWI would refer the hon. Member to the reply (of which I am sending him a copy) which I gave on 17th July to a somewhat similar question by the hon. Member for Greenock (Sir G. Collins). As I then stated, I am taking steps to look personally into the operation of the rules with regard to this class of case. I would be greatly assisted in my enquiry if the hon. Member would let me have specific cases.
§ Captain TERRELLasked the Minister of Labour how many men are, under 1334W benefit year, 18th October, 1923, to the 9th June, 1924; and what number have been refused each month in the case of each Exchange?
§ Mr. SHAWThe following are the figures:
existing legislation, now in receipt of special uncovenanted benefit?
§ Mr. SHAWReturns distinguishing persons on covenanted and uncovenanted benefit have only been obtained at infrequent intervals and the last return related to 27th November, 1923. I regret, therefore, that no recent statistics are available.