§ 40. Mr. JAMES THOMASasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Messrs. C. Dould and Company, manufacturers, Derby, have issued a notice to the whole of their female employés that, unless they are prepared to pay the whole 6d., the amount required from the employer and the employé to the National Insurance Act, they will receive one week's notice; and what action he proposes to take to deal with this action on the part of these employers?
§ Mr. MASTERMANOnly the proportion of the contributions laid down in the Act can be deducted from wages. As to new contracts, employers have no more right, or power, to reduce wages than they had before the Insurance Act was passed.
§ Mr. J. THOMASIf an employer intimates to every employé that unless he undertakes to pay the employer's contribution as well as the employé's he will not be allowed to start work, is that, may I ask, contrary to the Act?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt is contrary to the principle of the Act. I do not think it is contrary to the law, unless there is a contract already existing.
§ Mr. J. THOMASAre there any means of punishing an employer who has already dismissed 300 girls?