* * *
Unemployment Insurance On Thursday, July 11th, in the House of Commons, Miss Bondfield, Minister of Labour, moved a money resolution increasing the State contribution to the Unemployment State Insurance Fund from two-fifths to one-half of the total contributions. Usually, such a resolution follows the second reading of the consequential Bill, and several Labour members were angry at the reversal of the custom. In vain Miss Bondfield explained that the proposal was only a stop gap to save the Fund from bankruptcy. The rebellious Labour members remembered too vividly that they had promised the unemployed " work or maintenance." Now they were asked to accept a 'policy of marking time at least until the next Budget. Mr. Maxton argued that even though the benefits were not to. be increased in the immediate future the regulations of the Labour Exchanges ought at least to be " humanized." Miss Bondfield, however, was unable to support the familiar accusation that the regulations are inhumane. The resolution was carried.
Previous page
