§ LORD BARNBYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the question which stands in my name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether any indication can now be given as to progress made in rendering transferable within the British Commonwealth of Nations the accumulated contributions to schemes of social welfare, so that future migrants may be assured of the retention in a changed domicile of the full value of accumulated contributions towards ultimate benefits.]
1045§ LORD SNELLMy Lords, the schemes of social insurance and welfare in force in the various parts of the British Commonwealth of Nations differ so widely from those in force in this country that it has not been found practicable to make any general arrangement, such as the noble Lord has in mind, for the transfer of contributions paid before migration. I would, however, point out that a person insured under the United Kingdom contributory pensions scheme who migrates to any part of the Empire is entitled under these Contributory Pensions Acts to maintain his insurance, and eventually qualify for a British pension, by paying contributions as a voluntary contributor. Moreover, if he is already in receipt of a contributory pension on migration, arrange-are made to continue to pay him that pension in that part of the Empire to which he has migrated. Generally I may say that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom fully recognize the importance of this factor in connexion with migration overseas, to which attention was called in the last Report of the Overseas Settlement Board. They will give the matter their closest attention in considering Empire migration after the war.