§ 11. Sir Robert Youngasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any agreements exist between this country and other countries respecting unemployment insurance whereby reciprocal treatment is given to their citizens when unemployed in their respective countries; and, if so, with which countries such arrangements have been made?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Butler)I have been asked to reply. Reciprocal arrangements exist between Great Britain and Switzerland under which no discrimination is made on the ground of nationality, as regards the unemployment insurance schemes in force in those two countries, between British subjects and Swiss nationals. The terms of a possible arrangement with France are still under consideration. I should add that, under Orders issued by the German Minister of Labour in 1926 and 1932, British subjects became entitled to receive unemployment benefit and emergency unemployment benefit in Germany under similar conditions and to the same extent as German subjects.
§ Sir R. YoungCan the hon. Member give any further information regarding these international agreements?
§ Mr. ButlerI have informed the House that the terms of a possible agreement with France are under consideration, and I will investigate the position in regard to other countries.