HC Deb 26 March 1934 vol 287 cc1765-8

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

10.37 p.m.

Mr. RHYS DAVIES

We ought not to pass this Clause without an explanation from the Minister. I always had the impression that there was already in Northern Ireland a scheme of unemployment insurance, and I was therefore surprised to read this Clause. If there is no such scheme, I am sure the Government of this country have some hope that a scheme corresponding to ours is likely to emerge. If that be the case, we are entitled to have some information on this point. I do not want to touch upon what is a very delicate subject, but Ireland is divided into two parts, and I am wondering whether the same reciprocal arrangements as are made under the National Health Insurance scheme between our own Ministry of Health and the Irish Free State Health Department cannot be extended in the case of Unemployment Insurance both to Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State.

10.38 p.m.

Mr. HUDSON

Ever since the establishment of a separate Parliament in Northern Ireland that Parliament has been responsible for its own unemployment insurance legislation, and it has been the custom there to pass legislation dealing with unemployment insurance corresponding with similar legislation passed in this House. This Clause has been inserted in order that when the Northern Parliament passes, as we contemplate it will, legislation substantially similar to Part II of this Bill, it will be possible for the two Governments to enter into reciprocal arrangements so that assistance in each country shall be available for persons coming from either. It is in order to enable such reciprocal arrangements to be entered into after the passage of substantially similar legislation in Northern Ireland, that this Clause is required. Such an arrangement will only be entered into with the consent of the Treasury and subject to rules which will have to be laid before this House.

Mr. DAVIES

Northern Ireland is farther removed from the shores of this country than the Isle of Man. The people who live in the Isle of Man are men and women like the people who live in Northern Ireland—

The CHAIRMAN

What the hon. Member is now suggesting seems to be a matter for a new Clause.

Mr. DAVIES

May I ask this question? How comes it that under this Bill Northern Ireland secures preferential treatment as against not only the Irish Free State but the people of the Isle of Man as well?

Mr. HUDSON

In the case of the Irish Free State reciprocal arrangements used to exist, but were broken off some time ago by the Government of the Irish Free State. As regards the Isle of Man, I understand that they have been attempting for some time to pass an Unemployment Insurance Bill, and, when they do so, no doubt they will approach us and we shall be glad to make reciprocal arrangements, if the provisions of their Measure correspond with our own.

Clause 56 (Extent and citation of Part II) ordered to stand part of the Bill.