HC Deb 10 February 1913 vol 48 cc466-7
20. Mr. JOWETT

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that for the purposes of the National Insurance Act, Part II., about one-half of the firms of coppersmiths in Bradford are being trated as insured trades and the other half as uninsured trades, and, having regard to the fact that there is no essential difference between the class of work done at these firms, and workmen are therefore liable to be treated first as insured persons under Part II. at one firm, and then as uninsured persons at another, if he will take steps to have all these firms classed alike for the purposes of the Act; and, in the meantime, if he will explain the position fully regarding unemployment insurance of persons who work first for a firm which is treated as coming under Part II., and then at a firm which is not so treated?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. J. M. Robertson)

Coppersmiths are only insurable under Part II. of the National Insurance Act when they are engaged in one of the trades to which that part of the Act applies, and the decision of the question whether contributions are payable in respect of any workman or class of workmen rests with the Umpire, and not with the Board of Trade. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of certain decisions of the the Umpire with respect to the class of workmen referred to in the question, and I would also point out that application may at any time be made to the Umpire for a revision of decisions previously given by him. As regards the second part of the question, the position of a workman who is employed at one time in an insured trade and at another in an uninsured trade is that he is liable to pay contributions only While employed in an insured trade, but is eligible for unemployment benefit (subject to the usual statutory conditions) if he loses his employment, whether in an insured or in an uninsured trade. As my hon. Friend will be aware, the amount of a workmen's claim to benefit depends among other things on the number of contributions standing to his credit.