HC Deb 07 December 1922 vol 159 cc2027-8W
Mr. WIGNALL

asked the Minister of Labour whether an Army or Navy pensioner having from 15 to 22 years' service to his credit and in receipt of a pension ranging from 20s. to 40s. per week is not disqualified for receipt of unemployment benefit, whilst a dockyard pensioner with over 20 to 40 years' service to his credit and receiving a pension from 12s. to 30s. per week is disqualified; and whether he will explain the reason for this discrimination?

Sir M. BARLOW

Established dockyard workers are excepted from the unemployment insurance scheme and are therefore not required to pay unemployment insurance contributions. It is for this reason that dockyard pensioners are in general disqualified for unemployment benefit. If they perform insurable work after discharge from the dockyard they may become qualified for benefit. In the case of Army and Navy pensioners, a contribution in respect of their service with the forces is paid under Section 41 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, in order to entitle them to unemployment benefit.