§ Sir R. ASKEasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, owing to the unemployment that has existed for years in shipbuilding and other industrial areas, numbers of men are being disqualified for sick benefits and contributory pensions; and whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to reduce the number of qualifying contributions in such cases until more work is available?
Sir H. YOUNGIt would appear that my hon. Friend has been misinformed inasmuch as, under the existing law, the health and pensions insurance of persons, who are unable to secure work, is maintained so long as they can prove that they are genuinely unemployed, and provision is also made to secure that an insured person shall not suffer loss or reduction of benefits as a result of arrears due to unemployment. In these circumstances, I cannot see any necessity for amending legislation on the lines suggested.