§ 70. Mr. CASSELasked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the difficulty of distinguishing between Section 4 (4) (a) and Section 49 of the National Insurance Act, 1911; and 1846 whether a person who is over sixty-five years of age at the commencement of the Act and becomes employed within the meaning of Part I. of the Act, either immediately on the Act coming into operation or after an interval, will be treated as coming within the provisions of Section 4 (4) (a)?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThere is no discrepancy between the two Sections named. Under the conditions stated in the second part of the question, Section 49 and not Section 4 (4) (a) would apply.
§ Mr. CASSELWill the right hon. Gentleman tell me on what grounds Section 4 (4) (a) would not apply?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI cannot enter into an argument as to the special application of these various Sections. I have given the answer, what in our opinion is the legal interpretation of the Act.
§ Mr. CASSELIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is serious doubt on this very important question as to whether a person over 65 has got to pay his own 4d. or not?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have had that doubt suggested to me by Members on the other side, but I think I managed to convince them that the opinion of the Commissioners is the right one.