§ Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a seasonal worker who has been in work of a seasonal nature for one or two seasons and has never had two off-seasons and is thus unable to comply with paragraph 2 (1) (a) of the Anomalies Regulations Act, 1931, is debarred from benefit during the off-season; and whether he will amend the regulation to provide for these cases?
Mr. HUDSONI am not aware that any decision has been given to the effect that a claimant who has been in seasonal work for one or two seasons only cannot comply with the requirement referred to if he has, in fact, been employed in insurable employment to a substantial extent during the off-seasons of what has since become his normal employment.
§ Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the umpire under the Anomalies Regulations, 1931, has held that in order to comply with the requirements of subparagraph 2 (1) (a) of these regulations a claimant has to work 25 per cent. of the period comprised in the off-season; and whether, in view of the difficulty in certain places of complying with this, he will by regulations define the meaning of substantial extent in the sub-paragraph by fixing a reduced percentage of 12½ per cent.?
Mr. HUDSONI do not understand that the umpire has laid down a rule of the kind indicated for application in every case without regard to circum- 1053W stances, but my right hon. Friend will watch the working of the regulation with a view to any necessary amendment.