UNEMPLOYMENT BILL.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19155, 11 November 1927, Page 7

UNEMPLOYMENT BILL.

PROPOSED. BRITISH MEASURE. (bt cabls—priss association—copyright.) (AUSTRALIAN AND K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, November 9. In the House of Commons, Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland moved the second reading of the Unemployment Insurance Bill, aiming at remodelling tne whole system on the lines of the Blanesburgh Commission's recommendations. He explained that at present there was a dual scheme. Standard benefit was given as a matter of statu--I tory right, and also extended benefit was given in respect to what the unemployed workers had contributed. The Bill provided a unified scheme giving statutory right benefits only, and abolishing extended benefit. The word dole, if it ever was, "will no longer be applicable. The unemployed must have paid thirty contributions within the previous two years, and must be genuinelv seeking work. Mr A. Hayday moved Labour's amendment rejecting the Bill on the ground that it would only increase the cost of relief, cut rates, and reduce the already inadequate unemployment benefit. The Police Courts showed that when youths lost employment they resorted to vicious practices. It would be even wc?*« for young women. The Rev. Campbell Stephen stated that the Bill said to the unemployed: "Go to the Guardians. If they cannot do anything, you can go to Hell!" The newspapers advertised fur coats at 600 guineas each for some women, but the unemployed young women were to receive 8s a week.

DEBATE ADJOURNED

(Received November 10th, 11 p.m.) LONDON, November 10. Labour members of the House cheered when Ladv Astor played into the hands of the' Socialists, The Government, she said, needed recruits of more advanced views to do some constructive thinking and to deal with the tragic • problem of juvenile unemployment.

Mr Merriman said he thought the Bill ought to provide for training employed women for domestic service. There were a hundred' thousand fewer domestics in Great Britain than before the war.

Mr Johnston (Labour) said there waa no justification for reducing the unemplojment benefit to young people. Girls could not lire on eight shillings weekly. The" only alternatives were suicide or prostitution. The debate wae adjourned.