asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he can state why unemployment insurance benefit has not been paid to Edward Dowling, Balloncross, Ballon, Co. Carlow, Serial No. 1183, who made application at the Labour Exchange, Tullow, on the 27th February, 1929.

A claim to unemployment benefit made by Edward Dowling on the 27th February last was disallowed by the Insurance Officer on the ground that the claimant was not unemployed. From that decision the claimant appealed to the Court of Referees, and finally the claim went before the Umpire, who upheld the Insurance Officer's decision. The claim accordingly remains disallowed.

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if the applicant got notice of the fact that the appeal was to be heard before the Court of Referees?

All the usual notices obligatory in such cases were sent out.

I do not think the Parliamentary Secretary should use the expression "all the usual notices," in view of the fact that many of these applicants to the Court of Referees do not get notice when their appeals will be heard.

He got all the notices he was entitled to.