§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether deductions are made for national health insurance and unemployment insurance from the moneys paid to men who are given direct employment under Government assistance schemes; and, if so, whether provision is made in such moneys to allow for the deductions so made?
§ Mr. ElliotI am not clear as to the precise kind of employment which the hon. and learned Member has in mind. I would, however, explain that the National Health Insurance Act, 1936, empowers employers to recover by means592W of deductions from wages the employe's share of contributions payable under that Act. The Act draws no distinction between works carried out by direct labour and by contract, or between work on state-assisted and on other schemes. Any question as to the position under the Unemployment Insurance Acts should be addressed to the Minister of Labour.