§ 15. Captain McEwenasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in the case of casual labour from the Irish Free State contributions to the National Health and Unemployment Insurance Funds are demanded from employers; and, seeing that in most cases the labourer does not remain in this country for as long as the statutory six months which would enable him to qualify for benefit, will he take steps to alter this position?
§ Mr. E. BrownUnder the general scheme of unemployment insurance joint contributions are payable in respect of all persons employed in insurable employment in Great Britain. Under the agricultural scheme persons not domiciled in and ordinarily resident outside the United Kingdom are excluded from unemployment insurance. Their employers are, however, required to pay employers' contributions in order to avoid a special inducement to employ such persons. In the case of health and pensions insurance, there is an arrangement whereby contributions paid in respect of employment in Great Britain count for benefit in the Irish Free State.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsWill the right hon. Gentleman consider doubling the employers' contributions so as to put a bar upon the import of this labour from Ireland?