HC Deb 16 July 1912 vol 41 c223
74. Mr. CHARLES BATHURST

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a workman engaged in an insured trade can and should be a voluntary contributor if carrying on such trade independently and not under a contract of service, but, owing to its precarious character, liable to accept employment hereafter under another person or firm?

Mr. BUXTON

The provisions of Part II. of the Act would not admit of any contributions being paid except in respect of workmen for the time being employed under contracts of service. Any contributions so paid would be available to establish a claim to unemployment benefit if the workman is out of work, whether or not he has in the meantime been engaged in carrying on his trade independently.