§ Sir R. ASKEasked the Minister of Labour whether she will favourably consider the introduction of legislation to provide that, under transitional condition (b) of the Act of 1927, the fact that a man has had no work for a period of years shall not be accepted as evidence if he has maintained registration during such period?
§ Miss BONDFIELDWhether in any particular case transitional condition (b) is satisfied is a matter for decision by the statutory authorities, who take all the circumstances, including the question of registration, into account. As at present advised, I do not think that any change in this respect is necessary.
§ Mr. STEPHENasked the Minister of Labour if she will consider the advisability of making a regulation under Section 35 of the Unemployment Insurance Act prescribing the evidence 51W to be required as to the fulfilment of the condition not normally in insurable employment?
§ Miss BONDFIELD, pursuant to her reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 5th June, 1930; col. 2405, Vol. 239] supplied the following statement:
I am advised that while I have power under Section 35 (1) (b) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, to make regulations prescribing the evidence to be required for the fulfilment of the conditions for receiving or continuing to receive benefit, I have no power to bind the hands of the statutory tribunals by prescribing that such evidence shall be conclusive proof of the fulfilment of the conditions. The effect of any regulations would be, not that a claimant would necessarily qualify for benefit by comply-
Date. Men. Boys. Women. Girls. Total. Plymouth. 5th May, 1930 … … 3,897 77 546 70 4,590 12th May, 1930 … … 4,043 83 568 62 4,756 19th May, 1930 … … 4,014 84 549 65 4,712 26th May, 1930 … … 4,022 74 545 63 4,704 Devonport. 5th May, 1930 … … 1,848 56 240 50 2,194 12th May, 1930 … … 1,866 56 232 50 2,204 19th May, 1930 … … 1,835 56 253 48 2,192 26th May, 1930 … … 1,863 55 244 41 2,203