HC Deb 17 December 1928 vol 223 c2634W
Mr. HOLLINS

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that applicants for benefit at Employment Exchanges are being compelled to prove that they are genuinely seeking work, although such applicants are only temporarily unemployed owing to breakdown of machinery, repair, or extended holiday; and whether he will issue instructions that the first statutory conditions should be waived in such cases?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The condition which requires claimants for unemployment benefit to be "genuinely seeking work" is a statutory one, and I have no power to waive it. I understand that the statutory authorities in applying it pay due regard to circumstances such as those specified in this question.