Mr. MACLEANasked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that Thomas Britton, 23, Orkney Street, Govan, was employed with George Eaglesham, 22, Broomtoun Road, Govan, from 19th January, 1925, to 7th June, 1929; that he has a certificate from his late employer that the reason for his dismissal was slackness of work; that Britton lodged a claim at the Govan Exchange on 8th June and was interviewed on 10th June and was informed by the clerk on 12th June that he could not be allowed to sign the register; that Britton attended every signing day but could not sign; and that on 26th June he was informed he could make a fresh claim; whether any reason can be given for this treatment; and whether she will now rule that this claim/ will date from the original day of lodging, namely, 8th June.
§ Mr. LAWSONWhen Mr. Britton was interviewed on 10th June, he was given a U.I. 40 card and advised to sign the register on the 12th. According to my information, he did not attend the Exchange again until the 19th, when it became necessary to direct him to another counter to make a renewal claim. When he attended on the 21st he stated he had not made the renewal claim on the last occasion as there had been others waiting, and he was not prepared to wait his turn. While the clerk was proceeding to obtain his fresh claim, the applicant again left the premises, and it was therefore not completed until he attended again on the 26th. It seems clear that the delay in completing the claim was largely due to the claimant's own fault; but as there may have been some misunderstanding it was decided in all the circumstances to ante-date the claim to 8th June.