49. Mr. GILLETTasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Finsbury Borough Council are proposing to hand over the collection and disposal of house refuse to a contractor, and that this will involve the discharge of about 50 men from the service of the council and their removal from the council's superannuation scheme; and whether, as these men have been exempted from payment of National Insurance Insurance by reason of their service with the council, he will say upon what conditions they would qualify for benefits under the Widows, Orphans and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend has no information as to the first part of the question, and the second part appears to rest on a misapprehension. No certificate of exception from national health insurance has been issued to the Finsbury Borough Council, and my right hon. Friend is informed that the council has duly paid health insurance contributions for the men referred to in the question. They will, therefore, be able to qualify for benefits under the Contributory Pensions Bill on the ordinary conditions applicable to insured persons. I may add that even if the facts were as stated by the hon. Member, the men's position under the Bill would be amply safeguarded by Regulations to be made under Clause 15 (4).