2. Mr. Whiteleyasked the Minister of Labour whether arrangements can be made, in the case of insured persons being compelled to leave one industry under the general insurance scheme to agriculture, to transfer the value of the contributions from one fund to the other to prevent the insured person being deprived of benefit should he become unemployed?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Butler)My right hon. Friend explained in the Debate on the Adjournment on 29th June last why arrangements of the kind suggested are impracticable. I should point out also that in the circumstances mentioned in the question a contributor who, when he became employed in agriculture was qualified for benefit under the general scheme would remain so qualified as long as he continued to satisfy the first statutory condition.
Mr. WhiteleyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that unless something is done +o prevent loss of contributions, it may prove a discouragement for men to transfer from one industry to another?
§ Mr. ButlerI realise that the question is difficult, but the technicalities are appreciated by the expert administrative bodies, and the Minister did his best to explain it on the Adjournment the other night.