HC Deb 13 December 1949 vol 470 cc2484-5
6. Mrs. Middleton

asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps he proposes to take in order to ensure that employees in His Majesty's Dockyards do not lose their National Insurance and Pension rights when serving at foreign stations, in view of the fact that during such times, no National Insurance contributions are paid either by them or by the Admiralty on their behalf.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Workers sent abroad to His Majesty's Dockyards are generally covered by the new scheme. I have consulted my noble Friend, the First Lord of the Admiralty, who is not aware of any general difficulty in the application of the scheme in this respect. My noble Friend and I are looking into an individual case, particulars of which have been supplied by my hon. Friend.

Mrs. Middleton

I understand that when men go abroad in this way their benefits are continued for only one year and then they have to pay as non-employed people. Would it not be better for the Admiralty in those circumstances to continue paying throughout in order that these men might be maintained in full insurance?

Mr. Griffiths

That is a matter for my noble Friend, the First Lord of the Admiralty, but I am discussing this individual case with him and will take the opportunity of discussing the matter generally.

Mrs. Middleton

I would like to say that I put this Question down to the Admiralty because I wanted to put that point to them.