§ 32. Mr. SEXTONasked the Minister of Labour if he can give the full legal findings of the High Court on the question of unemployed insurance affecting persons who were previously paying into and receiving benefits from the fund; and what other sections of industry or profession, if any, other than caretakers, who had previously been contributory, are affected by such judgments?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI am sending my hon. Friend copies of the High Court judgments to which he refers. It is quite impossible, however, to make any general statement purporting to explain what effect the High Court decisions referred to may have upon other industries and professions; each case must be considered as it arises.
§ Mr. SEXTONWould the case of a supplementary teacher at St. Helen come under the same category?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThese are all cases of difficulty and the considerations applicable to them are all different, and it is impossible to give a general decision until the exact facts of the case are put before them.
§ Mr. SEXTONIn the case of the supplementary teachers previously obtaining unemployment benefit will their contributions be refunded to them?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI think the answer I have given in a rather similar case would apply, but I should like to consider the facts if the hon. Member will put a question down. Generally speaking the principle would be that where the decision of the High Court cuts out a class of persons who were held before that to come within the Act their contributions would be returned to them, subject to any deduction for benefit paid.