§ 6. Mrs. Castleasked the Minister of National Insurance whether there is any arrangement whereby German women who volunteer for work in this country under schemes organised by his Department may carry over on their return to Germany the insurance rights to which they have become entitled as a result of their compulsory contributions arising from their employment here.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsNo, Sir. There is at present no basis for a reciprocal agreement with Germany, and this is the only way in which under the insurance scheme provision for such a carry over of rights could be made.
§ Mrs. CastleIs my right hon. Friend aware that these German women are coming here for limited periods under schemes sponsored by the British Ministry of Labour for our convenience rather than for their own, and does he consider it fair that they should have to pay these heavy contributions without arrangements being made for them to draw full benefit from them?
§ Mr. GriffithsIn reply to the first part of that question, I could not allow these women to stand outside our insurance scheme and differentiate them from other workers in this respect. The question of the carry-over of benefits when they go back to Germany can be covered only by reciprocal arrangement. If at any time that becomes possible I will certainly investigate it.
§ Mrs. CastleSurely, the responsibility to initiate such discussions lies at our end and should be undertaken by, presumably, my right hon. Friend?
§ Mr. GriffithsThese arrangement are made between two Governments, and I should think it was obvious that for various reasons there would be difficulties.