§ 60. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the farm custom prevailing in Wiltshire and the adjoining counties of paying to carters and shepherds the sum of £5 or thereabouts each year after harvest as Michaelmas money; and whether, in estimating the rate of remuneration under Schedule II. of the National Insurance Act, such annual payment will be taken into account in reckoning the weekly wage of a farm servant, or whether it will only be taken into account in respect of the actual week during which it is paid?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAs I stated in reply to the hon. Members for Colchester and Mid-Norfolk on the 4th July, such a payment must be reckoned as remuneration for those weeks only in respect of which it is earned. If the sum of £5 is recognised as being paid in consideration of special services rendered during harvest it must be allocated to the period of the harvest.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the sum is really in 396 respect of work carried out throughout the year, and is payable after the harvest of the year is complete?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAny sum for any work may be allocated to the weeks for which it is paid, however many weeks there are. That is a matter of fact.
§ Mr. PRETYMANWould the right hon. Gentleman make it clear whether it is in respect of the weeks in which it is earned or the weeks in respect of which it is paid?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt is quite clear it is in respect of the weeks in which it is earned and not in respect of the weeks in which it is paid.