§ 18. Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. NORTON-GRIFFITHSasked the Minister of Labour whether aliens who are not naturalised in this country, or who remain subject to foreign countries, receive unemployment pay; if so, can he state the number; and if it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation confining the payments to British subjects only?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Dr. Macnamara)The Unemployment Insurance Acts make no distinction between British subjects and unnaturalised aliens as regards the liability to pay contributions and to receive benefit. All aliens in insured employment have to pay contributions and are entitled when unemployed to receive benefit subject to their satisfying the usual conditions. I have no information as to the number of aliens drawing benefit. As regards the last part of the question, I do not think it would be advisable to restrict the scope of the Unemployment Insurance Acts to British subjects only. It is desirable that, if aliens are engaged in insurable employment in this country, they should not be excused from contributing to the compulsory scheme of insurance against unemployment contained in the Acts, and if they pay contribution they must be eligible for unemployment benefit under the usual conditions.