§ Mr. HAYDAYasked the Minister of Labour whether, under the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Acts, men who are being discharged from the Royal Irish Constabulary will be entitled to unemployment benefit; and, if not, whether, in view of the fact that many of these men are being thrown out of employment, provision will be made for them?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIn the reply given to the hon. Member for Lambeth (North) (Mr. Briant) on, Thursday last, I stated that the Unemployment Insurance Acts apply to the members of the temporary forces auxiliary to the Royal Irish Constabulary, but not to the regular members of the constabulary. From further inquiry it appears that the auxiliary division were not insurable, while there is doubt as to the insurability of the temporary members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and also as to the extent to which they would in any event be entitled to benefit in view of certain payments being made to them on demobilisation. A test case 289W has been referred to the Umpire for an authoritative decision on the last-mentioned point. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the decision as soon as it is received.