§ 88. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware of the hardship that is caused to women land workers in Huntingdonshire who have been informed by the local employment exchange that when they are temporarily out of work they must either work at a fruit-canning factory at Huntingdon. which frequently involves journeys up to eight miles by bicycle, or be disqualified from unemployment benefit to which they are contributors; and if he will take steps to put an end to this treatment.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsClaims for unemployment benefit are decided by the independent statutory authorities in the light of the circumstances of the individual case. In all the cases under reference the Insurance Officer disallowed benefit because good cause had not been shown for refusal of the employment. Appeals were lodged against his decision in a number of cases and in each case his decision was confirmed by the local court of referees. I am informed that the longest bicycle journey involved in these cases was two miles each way.