HC Deb 05 February 1951 vol 483 cc1321-3
19. Mr. David Renton

asked the Minister of National Insurance when the hon. Member for Huntingdon may expect a reply to his letter, dated 11th January, to the Minister of Labour which has been passed to her Department for attention; and whether she will make a statement about the operation of the National Insurance Seasonal Workers Regulations, 1950, so far as they affect the payment of unemployment benefit to women who are employed in agriculture, except during the off-season from Christmas until the end of the winter.

Dr. Summerskill

I have now written to the hon. Member. I do not think that there is any more I can say by way of general explanation of the position.

Mr. Renton

Is the Minister aware that these seasonal regulations produced a most unexpected result in the farming community in the Fens, where for years women had worked all the year through, as far as they possibly could, and, quite rightly, were entitled to unemployment benefit? Now a sudden change has been made. Will she look into the matter again?

Dr. Summerskill

The hon. Member surely recognises that in dealing with very many of these seasonal occupations we have a very difficult task. Before the regulations were made we invited representatives of all seasonal workers to give evidence before the National Insurance Advisory Committee and, having received that evidence, the regulations were drafted. I think it would be only right and proper to allow the regulations to operate for a year to see how they affect the position.

Mr. Baldwin

Is the Minister aware this is something which is causing great concern not only in my hon. Friend's constituency but in other parts of the country? Would she say why women—they generally are women—who buy a stamp should not be entitled to receive benefits when they cease to be employed?

Dr. Summerskill

The hon. Member is quite wrong. They have made a contribution and they are still entitled to unemployment benefit during the regular working period. They are also entitled to sickness benefit, which is very important to them.

Mr. Renton

Would the Minister say to whom she was referring when she said that before the regulations were drafted representatives of seasonal workers were consulted?

Dr. Summerskill

The representatives of the unions which represent workers in the agricultural industry.

Mr. Percy Wells

Would the Minister consider franking the cards of seasonal workers when they are unemployed during the off-season?

Major Legge-Bourke

May I ask if the information the Minister has given about consultations which took place would lead us to suppose that if the advice happens to be wrong she will not do anything to put the matter right?

Dr. Summerskill

I think that the people who should advise us concerning the conditions of workers are workers' representatives.