§ 36. Mr. Sutcliffeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that prisoners are informed of the fact that National Insurance contributions which they may make on release as non-employed persons, if they so wish, will preserve their pension rights only and do not count towards sickness or unemployment benefit.
§ Mr. EdePrisoners are provided with a card which sets out fully and clearly the special arrangements made for prisoners for National Insurance purposes. Entitlement to sickness and unemployment benefit is among the matters dealt with.
§ Mr. SutcliffeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a good many men who have recently been released seem to be unaware of this and that they think that by paying contributions they will be completely covered? Could not something be done to bring this information home to them?
§ Mr. EdeI have seen a copy of the card which is handed to every man. It sets out this information with great clarity and in very simple language.
§ Mr. AwberyIs it not a fact that a man who loses sickness and unemployment benefit because, having been in prison, he has not had stamps on his card, is penalised and punished a second time for one offence?
§ Mr. EdeThat subject is one which should be taken up with my right hon. Friend the Minister of National Insurance.