Major HAMILTONasked the Minister of Labour whether nurses in general come under the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920; if so, whether district nurses while under agreement to Queen Victoria's Jubilee Institute for Nurses or a county nursing association, and so guaranteed employment, are excepted; and whether candidates in training, who are receiving pocket money but no salary, are excepted?
Sir M. BARLOWNurses employed under contract of service or under contract of apprenticeship with money payment come under the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, subject to the exceptions under Part II. of the First Schedule. The question whether these exceptions apply in any particular case or class of case is under the Act to be determined by the Minister of Labour, and is at present under consideration. The classes of nurse referred to in the question are normally under contract of service or contract of apprenticeship with money payment, and consequently are insurable, subject to the exceptions referred to above. Candidates in training with pocket money, if it is regarded as payment for services rendered, are considersd to be apprentices with money payment, and are insurable.