68. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked why the intended permission to employers to perforate insurance stamps before use as in the case of postage stamps in order to prevent pilfering has been abandoned; and, if perforation is not permitted in 809 order to prevent identification of the employer of any workman, whether the power to obtain a new card on change of employment is sufficient protection to the workman?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt has throughout been the object of the Government to avoid creating a system under which the contribution card could be used as a record of the employment of the contributor. The power given to the contributor to obtain a new card on changing his employment was only intended for use in very exceptional cases where some such measure might be desirable in the interests of the contributor, and its general exercise would lead to a good deal of confusion and inconvenience. If however, the hon. Member can suggest any means by which employers can identify their stamps which is not open to the objection stated above, I should be happy to consider it in consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, who is also concerned in the matter.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSHas it not been stated that permission would be given for the usual perforation of stamps?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, I do not think so. I think it was stated that at present permission could not be given owing to the fact that an employed contributor should not have reported on his card who his last employer was.
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have stated already we only designed that for use in exceptional cases.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIs it not also possible that that might apply to the case of perforated stamps?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt might be applicable to that, but we do not suppose it will be a universal practice for men who leave one employment to go to another to ask for a new card.