§ 43. Mr. GOLDSMITHasked the estimated amount to be paid out of moneys provided by Parliament for the payment of contributions of insured persons whose rate of remuneration does not exceed 2s. a working day?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)The estimated sum for the payment of such contributions out of moneys provided by Parliament in the year 1912–13 is £87,300.
§ 44. Mr. GOLDSMITHasked how, in the case of insured persons whose rate of remuneration does not exceed 2s. a working day, and where a contribution of 1d. per week is payable out of moneys provided by Parliament, the Government contribution of 1d. is being or is going to be paid; and whether, in the case of such persons, their insurance cards are at present only being stamped for 6d. a week in the case of men and 5d. a week in the case of women?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Government contribution will be paid in accordance with the Regulations upon evidence that the conditions imposed by Parliament are fulfilled; that is to say, that the rate of remuneration of the insured person did not exceed 2s. per working day, that it did not include the provision of board and lodging by the employer, and that he was of the age of twenty-one or upwards. The reply to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. GOLDSMITHCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the Government contribution of a penny is going to be paid, and whether it is going to be paid into the friendly society, and whether the insured person's card is going to be stamped by the Government?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe cards are already received for the first quarter, and contributions with the stamp for the Government penny, where it is required, will be paid to the National Insurance Fund.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the regulations to which he referred have already been made, or when they are going to be made?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think I would like notice of that question.