§ 51. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that men and women who are still at work after the age of 70 years are called upon to pay contributions towards the unemployment insurance funds, although benefit is in all circumstances refused to persons above that age; and whether he will take steps to amend the regulations or the law?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe hon. Member is, I think, under a misapprehension. Persons over the age of 70 are entitled to draw unemployment benefit on the same conditions as anybody else, except only that such persons if in receipt of old age pensions are disqualified for benefit and are also excepted from payment of contributions?
§ Mr. BAKERIs it not a common occcurrence that benefit has been refused in these cases on the ground that a person is of such an age that further occupation is unlikely?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThat may be the case, but it does not affect the point raised in the question.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that persons over 70 are instructed by his Department to claim the old age pension, and in effect each person insured under this Act is automatically disqualified because he must draw the old age pension when he reaches 70 years of age?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am not aware that they are independently instructed in that sense, but perhaps the hon. Member will give me particulars.