§ Mr. Peter Griffithsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she will inquire into the refusal of both unemployment benefit and National Assistance to workers laid off at the Austin, Longbridge, factory of the British Motor Corporation, who applied at the Smethwick office of her Department on Friday, 21st January, 1966; and if she will make a statement.
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§ Miss HerbisonI understand that workers laid off at Longbridge as a result of the gas shortage are covered by the guaranteed wage agreement in the engineering industry and are not therefore entitled to unemployment benefit. This has been explained to the few who have inquired at the Smethwick employment exchange and I have no evidence that there has been any misunderstanding or complaint.
Two men from Longbridge who inquired at the Smethwick Office of the National Assistance Board were told that as they had received wages on the previous day it was unlikely that any assistance would be payable.
It may however be that the hon. Member has in mind an occasion earlier this month when some workers at Longbridge were laid off as the result of a trade dispute at a neighbouring factory. The test claim for unemployment benefit on behalf of these workers has been decided in the claimant's favour and the benefit due will be paid on 28th January.