§ 76. Mr. ROWNTREEasked what arrangements have been made under the National Insurance Act to meet the case of a domestic servant who at one time pays at the reduced scale of 2½d. per week and who transfers her services to another employer who requires her to pay 3d. per week, or vice versâ; will she, in such differing circumstances, be in the same position with regard to benefits as if she had been continuously insured at the full rate; and if she is a member of an approved society will her reserve value be affected to any and what extent?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIf domestic service is included among the employments to which Section 47 applies, a servant in the circumstances mentioned would be entitled to all the ordinary benefits of the Act except that she would not draw sickness or disablement benefit in the periods during which she was entitled to full wages from her employer under the provisions of the Section. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ 77. Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYasked if, for the better information of domestic servants on the subject of the National Insurance Act, he can see his way to issue a leaflet explaining the advisability of joining an approved society before 14th October, and not becoming a Post Office contributor?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe N.H. leaflet, which will be circulated to every household in the country, and also leaflets No. 5 and 11a, all emphasise the advantage of joining an approved society rather than of becoming a deposit contributor. As already stated, an insured person is allowed to choose a society any time up to the middle of October before becoming a deposit contributor. A deposit contributor may subsequently transfer to a society if he can find one to accept him, but he runs the risk of being unable to do this, not only in the event of an actual breakdown in health in the meantime, but also because societies may be unwilling without some special test to accept persons who are deposit contributors. The Commissioners will take further steps to make insured persons realise the importance of choosing their societies as soon as they are in a position to do so, and in any case of joining an approved society before October next.
§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYWill my right hon. Friend, in view of certain advice which has been widely distributed on this subject, make an addition to the leaflet which is being issued as to domestic servants and explaining this important point?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI hope in a very few days, as soon as I can get some information of alternative superannuation possibilities, to issue some sort of general circular for the use of mistresses and domestic servants.
§ Mr. CASSELIs it not the case that as to domestic servants it may be more advisable for them to wait at all events until some time before October to see whether a suitable society for domestic servants is established?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think if I were giving advice I should not advise domestic servants immediately to rush into the first society offering. I hope long before October she will have a choice of societies suitable.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs there any reason why a National Health Insurance Society 1848 for Domestic Servants should not be immediately formed providing special-benefits?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNot at all; and if the hon. Gentleman will take steps towards the formation of such a society in hand, I will give him every assistance.
§ Mr. BAIRDMay I ask whether servants will have to become deposit contributors from 15th July until they join an approved-society?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, the deposit contributor does not exist before next October. It is only after a date in the middle of October that anyone begins to become a deposit contributor.