§ 8. Mr. BEAUMONTasked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware of the 1784 hardships caused to certain stokers employed by the Air Ministry who have been declared uninsurable after having paid insurance for many years, as a result of the decision in the High Court on 15th April, 1930; and whether she proposes to take any action to remedy their grievance?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI have no power to take any action in this matter without fresh legislation.
§ Mr. BEAUMONTIn view of the very grave facts which the right hon. Lady has stated, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest possible date.
§ Mr. HAYDAYCan the Minister of Labour say if there is any right to claim the contribution, assuming that the decision of the judge is upheld, or would that exclude them from unemployment insurance?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. LAMBERT WARDWould it not be an act of common justice to refund these contributions in the circumstances?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThose are points of law which have been settled by High Court decisions, and I have no power in the matter.
§ Mr. HAYDAYWill the right hon. Lady pursue the inquiries, seeing that these men are civilian stokers, and it is unfair that they should be charged contributions and afterwards placed outside the Statute.