HL Deb 25 February 1953 vol 180 cc773-5

2.50 p.m.

LORD JEFFREYS

My Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper:

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the position as regards National Insurance of British ex-soldiers who are employed in foreign countries under the Imperial War Graves Commission; and whether such men and their families either pay the contributions, or receive the benefits, under the National Insurance Act.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (LORD LLOYD)

My Lords, staff recruited in the United Kingdom since 1946 and ordinarily resident here are compulsorily insured as employed persons for the first twelve months of their overseas service, when they pay the insured person's share of the National Insurance contribution but not the Industrial Injuries contribution. The Commission pays the usual employer's share. Thereafter, while abroad, they can continue to pay contributions voluntarily at the non-employed person's rate, but these contributions are treated as full employed persons' contributions on return to the United Kingdom. The contributors are thus fully covered for all benefits of the National Insurance scheme on their return home. Whilst actually abroad the only benefits for which they or their families can qualify are maternity grant and attendance allowance, and death grant.

Staff recruited in the United Kingdom and employed abroad from a date earlier than 1946 can, if they wish, pay National Insurance contributions while abroad as self-employed or non-employed persons. Non-employed persons' contributions cover them for all benefits except sickness and unemployment, and self-employed persons' contributions for all benefits except unemployment, in each case on return to this country. The position of the staff in France is rather more favourable in consequence of a reciprocal agreement between the social insurance schemes of Great Britain and France. The small residue of the Commission's overseas staff not covered by the arrangements I have already described consists mainly of persons who have lived abroad for a long time and were recruited abroad. They are not entitled to be insured under the National Insurance scheme unless they come to this country.

LORD JEFFREYS

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that answer, may I ask whether he is aware that stories are being told among ex-Servicemen which appear to show that some ex-Servicemen employed abroad are not covered by National Insurance in this country? If I send him such particulars as I have received, will he look into the matter?

LORD LLOYD

My Lords, my information is that more than 90 per cent. of the Commission's overseas staff outside France is covered by these provisions. But if the noble Lord knows of any cases and will let me have them, I will certainly have them looked into and try to find out why they are not covered.