§ Mr. ROBERT THOMPSONasked if in the provisions of the National Insurance Bill ho has taken into consideration that, of the many thousands of young women employed in the textile industries in Ireland who will be obliged to contribute under compulsion at the age of fifteen years or over, at least 50 per cent. of these will get married before they attain to thirty years of age, and 20 per cent, additional will emigrate to Canada or the United States (in either of these cases, provided they have had no claim against the funds under the Government Bill); and will he make provision to return all or a portion of their contributions to the contributors, both employés and employers?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEWithout in any way admitting the accuracy of the figures cited in the question, so far as the position of 1337 women who on marriage cease to be employed is concerned, my right hon. Friend last night promised consideration of an Amendment dealing with them. The case of emigrants is dealt with in Clause 26 on a basis of reciprocity between this country and the British possession or foreign country to which the emigrant goes.