HC Deb 23 July 1912 vol 41 c985
43. Sir J. D. REES

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that lodging and boarding-house keepers, who can only afford to pay wages of £10 or £12 a year, are dismissing their servants and engaging immature girls under 16, whom they will in turn dismiss when they reach that age in order to escape the Insurance Tax of 13s. a year, which cannot be deducted from small wages without hard ship; and, seeing that such employers are quite unable to pay an additional tax of 26s. a year for each servant they keep, will he say what action he proposes to take?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I am not aware that any such dismissals are taking place in connection with the payment not of an "Insurance Tax," but of contributions to the National Health Insurance Fund. If the hon. Member can inform me of any such case which has been brought to his notice, I shall be glad to inquire into the matter. I am informed that the demand for work boys and girls under sixteen greatly exceeds the supply, and that no appreciable reserve of children of that age exists which could be absorbed into domestic service, with or without an Insurance Act.