§ Mr. Woodsasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the decision to suspend the half-yearly stamping arrangements of insurance cards will involve employers in considerable additional expense; and, in view of the depletion of clerical staffs through war services, whether he will continue the arrangement, which has been in operation since 1911?
§ Mr. ElliotThe suspension in England of the half-yearly stamping arrangements for Health and Pensions Insurance cards was made in order to free the staff employed on the work for more urgent duties arising out of the war.
These arrangements applied to less than 600 employers and in the large majority of cases no difficulty appears to have been occasioned. I will, however, give special consideration where any employer demonstrates that as a result of the change he will be involved in substantial additional expense.