§ 65. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked if the right hon. Gentleman will state who is liable as employer under Part I. of the National Insurance Act in the case of a farmer and brickmaker who employs a man as working foreman for the season to make, stack, and burn bricks, the foreman employing such men as he thinks fit and drawing money weekly on account to pay wages, and finally squaring up accounts at the end of the season; will the farmer be liable as the foreman's employer and the foreman as the workmen's employer, or will the foreman be exempt as a contractor?
§ Mr. MASTERMANOn the information given it would be impossible for me to give an answer to this question. Procedure is established by the Act under Section 66 for dealing with these and similar questions, and any of the parties concerned can apply to the Commission for a judicial decision through the local officer of Customs and Excise.
§ Mr. R. GWYNNEIf it is possible for the right hon. Gentleman to explain the matter to me privately as he suggests, why is it not possible for him to give me an answer publicly now?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAll the particulars are not stated in the question. If the hon. Member will communicate with me and put the full facts before me, I shall probably be able to give him an answer.
§ Mr. R. GWYNNEI have stated a precise case which I know exists.