§ Sir A. BUTTasked the Minister of Labour whether men accepting casual work clearing snow for municipalities or private persons are disqualified from drawing unemployment benefit for a week or any such period; whether any cases have been reported to him of men on uncovenanted benefit refusing such work; and whether in the event of such refusal uncovenanted benefit is still paid?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDUnder the terms of the Unemployment Insurance Acts, men employed as described in the question are disqualified for the day or days on which they are so employed. Refusal to accept such employment would, in the absence of special circumstances, disqualify for extended benefit. I am not aware of any such refusals.
§ Mr. LUNNasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that an unemployed ex-service man named Harry Wreby, of Lupset Bar, Wakefield, who was receiving unemployment pay, was recently sent from the Exchange to an undertaker in Wakefield to assist at a funeral; that he was working from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and received 3s. for his services, but had 4d. insurance contributions stopped from that amount; that he had to walk a considerable distance next morning to have his stamps affixed; that he had 3s. unemployment pay stopped at the Exchange, and 10d. for his wife; and whether, seeing that a number of similar cases have happened, it is within the Regulations issued by his Department to insist that men must go to jobs of this sort at the above rate of pay or lose their unemployment benefit?
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§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am having inquiries made and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.