§ 40. Mr. FELLasked how many cards have been sent in by the approved societies and how many by the Post Office contributors in respect of insured persons, and how many cards by those insured against unemployment?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe total number of cards sent in by deposit contributors in the United Kingdom is approximately 480,000. Cards are still being received from approved societies, and their total number cannot yet be stated. With regard to unemployment insurance under Part II. of the National Insurance Act, I am informed by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, that the number of permanent unemployment books issued to workpeople up to and including 27th November, 1912, was 2,218,132. Some further allowance should probably be made on account of emergency books issued, but rot yet exchanged for permanent books. It is, however, not possible to estimate this additional number with any precision.
§ Mr. MASTERMANI will be able to state the number as soon as all the cards have been sent in by the approved societies, which I hope will be in a short time.
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo; they were only due a week ago.