§ 76. Mr. Chapmanasked the Minister of National Insurance how many of the men denied unemployment benefit in the strike at the Austin motor works have applied for, and been granted, National Assistance.
§ Mr. PeakeUp to the close of business last Saturday assistance had been granted to meet requirements of dependants in 276 cases.
§ 77. Mr. Chapmanasked the Minister of National Insurance how many employees of the Austin Motor Company thrown out of work by the strike of vehicle builders have been refused unemployment benefit; how many have appealed; to what extent their appeals are regarded as test cases for others; when the appeals will be heard; and whether he will see that the hearings are expedited.
§ Mr. PeakeAbout 6,500 claims have been disallowed. I cannot say how many individual appeals have so far been made but about 50 appeals in leading cases, each of which affects many other claimants. have already been received from trade unions. The hearing of this abnormally heavy load of appeals began today.