66. Major HOPEasked whether any arrangements have yet been made with the Government of any British Possession or of any foreign country, in accordance with Section 32 of the National Insurance Act, 1911, by which an insured person who emigrates may transfer to a society or institution similar to an approved society or the Post Office Fund, but which has no head office or branch in the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. W. BENNNo arrangements of the kind referred to have been made, nor has any application with a view to such arrangements been received by the Commissioners. The Commissioners have, however, informed societies with branches of the conditions on which arrangements can be made under Section 32 (1) with regard to insured persons who, on emigration, join branches of approved societies in the Colonies or abroad.
Major HOPEDoes that mean that although the Act has been two years in operation, unless the applicant happens to belong to a society which has a branch in the new country he loses all his contributions?
§ Mr. W. BENNThe Commissioners are quite prepared to make arrangements with the Colonies or foreign countries. If they make overtures we are prepared to do it.
§ Mr. W. BENNNothing can be done unless the Colony or the foreign country makes overtures to us. We are ready to do it immediately they are.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is not the time to argue the question.