§ 22. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider introducing legislation to alter the provision under which a person who reaches the age of 65, and is not qualified for the old age pension, is yet not qualified to draw unemployment insurance benefit, though qualified to do so in every way, except that he or she has reached the age of 65?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDNo, Sir, I understand that the cases of this kind are very few in number, and I believe that the balance of advantage to insured persons is on the side of the present system. It would not be possible to make a special exception in their favour, without requiring payment of a further insurance premium not only from them, but from all persons aged 65 or over employed in insured trades. This would obviously lead to a demand that all persons aged 65 or over should be eligible for unemployment benefit and would lead to hopeless confusion.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHow does the light hon. Gentleman propose to see that the few who are adversely affected do rot continue to suffer injustice? Has he any proposal to make?
Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a surplus of£32,000,000 over the actuarial estimate?