Mr. Tomiinsonasked the Minister of Labour (1) whether instructions have been issued to insurance officers dealing with the position of unemployed married women applicants for insurance benefit in reception areas where children have been billeted in their homes;
(2) What are the terms of the secret circular sent out for the guidance of courts of referees in determining the claims of unemployed married women to insurance benefit, and, particularly, as to their availability for employment when evacuees have been billeted upon them; and will such circular be made available to trade union officials where their members are concerned?
§ Mr. E. BrownAs the hon. Member will be aware, claims to unemployment benefit are determined not by the Minister of Labour but by independent statutory authorities, namely, Insurance Officers, Courts of Referees and the Umpire. The Chief Insurance Officer has drawn the2102W attention of local Insurance Officers to the Unemployment Insurance (Emergency Powers) Regulations, 1939, which, in effect, provide that persons who look after refugees under an approved evacuation scheme shall not on that account be regarded as failing to satisfy the conditions for benefit regarding unemployment and availability for work, and has intimated that a decision from the Umpire should be sought on the question whether the taking in of such refugees is a good cause for refusing or leaving employment.