asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of men employed in the Engineering Department of the Office of Works, who have now been transferred to the Supplies Department, have a considerable amount owing to them as refund of contributions under the Unemployment Insurance Acts which was inadvertently levied under the said Acts; and whether, as this refund has been promised for a long time now, he will state a definite time when the money shall be repaid?

No contributions under the Unemployment Insurance Acts have been deducted from the pay of these men since their transfer to the Supplies Division on cleaning work, and the question of refunding therefore does not arise.

Is the hon. Baronet aware that it is not a question of it being deducted since they were in the Supply Department, but when they were in the Engineering Department of the Office of Works?

In the Engineering Department they came under the Unemployment Insurance Act. Now, having been transferred definitely and permanently, they do not come under the Act.

Why have they been promised a refund?

There is no question of refunding the sums which were quite properly taken when they got the benefit of the Unemployment Insurance Act. They are no longer in that category and will not get the benefit, and therefore they do not pay.

May I submit the names of the men who have been promised?

Certainly. I will look into any case.