§ 3. Mr. Costainasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what National Insurance contributions British gardeners, working for the Imperial War Graves Commission on the Continent, have to pay for unemployment and health; and to what extent they are entitled to draw full benefits, including sickness benefit.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI am afraid no general answer to my hon. Friend's Question is possible. In any particular case, it must depend on whether the individual concerned was recruited in this country or locally; whether he has previously been insured in this country; and on whether the country in which he is working is one with which we have a reciprocal agreement. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind, I will be glad to write to him about it.
§ Mr. CostainWhilst thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him whether I am right in assuming that any workman who transferred from this country to work abroad would qualify for full benefits?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThat must depend on the various conditions to which I referred in my main Answer, which are somewhat variegated. I should not like to give a general ruling without having the facts of the particular case before me.