§ Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Minister of Labour whether he is yet in a position to announce his decision with regard to the payment of insurance benefit to fish workers?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am sorry that, owing to the number of issues involved, it has not yet been possible to reach a decision. As soon as I am in a position to announce a decision, I will let the hon. and gallant Member know.
§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the salmon fishers of Berwick-on-Tweed work only 2256W seven months of the year in the industry, which results in them having only 32 stamps on their unemployment cards; that the rota committee at the Berwick Employment Exchange refuse to consider any case unless they have at least 35 or 36 stamps on their cards for each year 1923–24 and 1924–25, and that in one week 30 of these cases were considered by the rota committee, 22 of which were disallowed on the ground that they were seasonal workers; and if he will take any action in the matter?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am aware of the position of the workers referred to by the hon. Member. The claims to benefit referred to in the question were in respect of extended benefit, that is benefit irrespective of contributions, for which one of the conditions is that the claimant shall show that he is normally employed in insurable employment. I cannot regard this condition as satisfied in the case of workers who are employed purely and simply for seasonal periods where the season does not extend over a period of at least 10 months a year. I am afraid that the recommendation to disallow made by the committee in these cases must be upheld.