§ 61. Mr. CRAWFURDasked the Minister of Labour whether the employeés of the London and North Eastern Railway Company, Great Eastern section, who have been compulsorily retired at the age of 65 without pension and who have been exempt persons under the National Insurance (Unemployment) Act, will be granted unemployment pay from the date of such retirement until the date 214 when they are entitled to old age pensions?
§ Mr. BETTERTONIf the employés in question have not been insured contributors during recent years I am afraid that the Acts preclude the grant of unemployment benefit to them.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDDoes not the hon. Member realise that this creates very great hardship on these men, and will he not, at any rate, take some steps to approach the railway company with a view to something being done in these particular cases, either, in the direction of their retirement being withdrawn or some provision being made for them?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThis is entirely a question between the railway companies and their employeés. As far as I am concerned, I feel quite certain that both the unions and the railway companies would resist any proposal that these employés be no longer excepted persons under the Act of 1920.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDIs not this a case where the hon. Member's Department might possibly approach the Board of Trade who might approach the railway company and make some suggestion?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI will consider that.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSWill the railway company be asked, to suspend action until these men qualify for the old age pension next January?