§ Mr. H. MORRISONasked the Minister of Health whether he will consult the Government actuary as to the possibility of giving some surrender value in respect of the unemployment contributions of women who permanently leave their employment on marriage?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI have been asked to reply. The question whether women permanently leaving industrial employment on marriage should receive some surrender value in respect of unemployment insurance contributions previously paid by them was considered when the Bill which became the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, was being framed. It was not then thought to be practicable to provide for the payment of surrender values in such circumstances, nor is it clear that such a provision is consistent with the general principles of unemployment insurance. It is to be remembered further that under the existing scheme a woman who left industrial employment on marriage and subsequently, owing to
2536WEngland which, as far as the 1921 Census tabulation has proceeded, have been found to have the highest proportion of population living at a density of more than two persons per room. No records exist of the number of deaths for separate districts of the areas.
Following is the table referred to:
widowhood or otherwise, returns to such employment before five insurance years have elapsed, can regain full credit for her previous contributions by paying 12 further contributions. If she had received a surrender value this would, of course, not be possible. The matter will no doubt be taken into consideration again should any general amendment of the unemployment insurance scheme be proposed, but for the present I cannot undertake to put it forward.