asked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to consider an amendment of the Unemployment Insurance Act under which no return of premiums is made to the widow of a man dying at the age of 56, although he has never received a penny of benefit during his life?

The Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Bill now before Parliament contains in Clause 9 a proposal to abolish these refunds altogether for the future, subject to certain arrangements for compensation for the loss of existing rights. I regret therefore that I cannot accept the hon. Member's suggestion.