§ 30. Mr. GOLDSTONEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to a notice which has been posted in engineering works and shipyards in Sunderland stating that, in accordance with the requirements of the National Insurance Act, all workmen employed at those works were required to hand in their birth certificates to the timekeeper not later than Monday last; whether he will say if the National Health Commissioners have required the production of such certificates; and, if not, what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Act gives no employer any right to demand the production of a birth certificate from any employed person. If a dispute arises whether any person is too young or too old to be compulsorily insured, and it cannot be settled by agreement the decision on the facts rests with the Insurance Commissioners.
§ Mr. GOLDSTONEWould men be within their rights in declining to tender birth certificates?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Act gives no right to an employer to demand a birth certificate.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSDoes the right hon. Gentleman admit the correctness of the facts stated in the question; and may it not be that these works are establishing an employer's fund, and in that case is it not necessary that there 1652 should be some evidence of the age of the men joining the employer's fund?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am glad the hon. Member has asked me that question. I have no official information as to the facts.
§ Mr. GOLDSTONEI have a copy of the notice—
§ Mr. SPEAKEROrder, order.