HL Deb 25 November 1947 vol 152 cc925-6WA
LORD BARNBY

asked His Majesty's Government whether they can now make a statement as to the progress of reported negotiations with a view to achieving a method of compounding social service contributions and making these transferable for intending migrants within the Commonwealth.

LORD CHORLEY

A conference of officials representing the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Eire and Southern Rhodesia was held in London last May to examine the principles on which reciprocal arrangements in the field of social insurance might be based. The report of the conference is at present under consideration by the Governments of the countries concerned. The recommendations made in the Report, if they are accepted fry the Governments, will provide a basis for opening bilateral negotiations with countries interested on the subject of reciprocity between the new United Kingdom insurance schemes, which come into operation on July 5, 1948, and the corresponding systems in those countries.

House adjourned at two minutes before seven o'clock.