HC Deb 01 February 1934 vol 285 cc514-5
10. Mr. HEALY

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the practice adopted at Northern Ireland courts of referees, when an insured person out of work removes there from Great Britain, of refusing him unemployed benefit on the ground that he has rendered himself unavailable for work by leaving the country where he was employed; if a similar course is adopted by the courts of referees in Great Britain in the case of the transfer of an insured unemployed person from Northern Ireland; if there is a reciprocity agreement in the matter between the Northern Ireland and the imperial Governments; and, if so, will he see that it is carried out?

Mr. HUDSON

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the negative. The reciprocal agreement with the Ministry of Labour for Northern Ireland is to the effect that contributions and benefit paid in either country shall be taken into account in the other country, and this agreement is fully observed.

Mr. HEALY

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries through his officials as to the decisions of the courts of referees in Northern Ireland?

Mr. HUDSON

If the hon. Gentleman will be kind enough to give me particulars of any cases which he has specially in mind, I shall be very glad to go into them.

Mr. HEALY

I will do that.