The purpose of this Bill is to provide that there be paid into the Unemployment Insurance Fund on behalf of every soldier who served more than three months in the Defence Forces since September, 1939, or who may have future service in the Defence Forces, a sum of money which will ensure for him the right to benefit from the Unemployment Insurance Fund in precisely the same manner as if his service in the Defence Forces was service in insurable employment.
It is difficult to state what the actual cost of the measure may be. On the basis of existing contributions payable under the Unemployment Insurance Act the immediate cost falling upon the Exchequer will be £270,000. In fact, the amount paid into the Unemployment Insurance Fund from the Exchequer will be whatever amount is required to enable benefit to be paid when the claim is made, so that an exact estimate of the total sum involved cannot be given.
The annual cost in future is expected to be about £45,000. The Bill is a simple measure designed to achieve that purpose, and there is a reference to the insurance industry employment scheme. That is because of the fact that any person employed in the insurance industry is entitled to benefit under a special scheme. The Bill provides that he will secure the same rights as if he had been employed in the industry during the emergency.
The introduction of this Bill, the conferring of these benefits on the members of the Defence Forces who have been discharged or who may be discharged is part of the general scheme set out in the Government's White Paper relating to Army demobilisation. It is intended that the rights conferred by this Bill will be permanent, in respect of those who may join the service for periods longer than three months.
