§ 63. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he 1650 will explain the reason why pensioners from the Royal Navy are allowed to draw unemployment benefit, whereas pensioners from the dockyards are not?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)I have been asked to reply. The reason for the distinction is that contributions under the Acts are paid for men discharged from the Royal Navy, whereas no contributions are paid, during employment or on discharge, by or for the pensionable men discharged from the dockyards.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWould the hon. Gentleman consider the injustice of this anomaly, seeing that dockyard men retired at 60 can find no other employment, whereas naval men are allowed to draw pensions?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo, Sir, it is not a question of my considering an anomaly, because it is quite clearly laid down in the Act of 1920, and, if the hon. Member would care to discuss with me Section 41 of that Act, I think I should be able to show him him that there is no real anomaly in the matter at all.