§ 58. Mr. LARDNERasked what arrangements have been made for granting exemption in Ireland to certain classes of out workers who are entitled to claim exemption under the National Insurance Act; whether any orders have been made by the Commission dealing with any class of out workers in Ireland; and whether an order has been made enforcing insurance on all outworkers irrespective of the nature of their employment?
§ Mr. MASTERMANUnder Section 81 (4) employment in Ireland as an outworker, where the wages or other remuneration derived from the employment are not the principal means of livelihood of the person employed, is an employment excepted from the Act. The necessity for arrangements for granting exemption does not therefore arise at present. The, whole question of outworkers in Ireland is under the consideration of a special Committee appointed for that purpose.
§ Mr. LARDNERMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that in certain districts in Ireland employers who only engage outworkers for part time have circulated a statement to the effect that all outworkers are forced to be insured?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am not aware of that. Perhaps the hon. Member will communicate with me. If such a statement has been circulated, it is incorrect.