§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked whether, during the first three months after the coining into operation of the National Insurance Act on 15th July, there will be no necessity for any employed contributor to decide whether he intends to be a member of an approved society or a deposit contributor?
§ Mr. MASTERMANA period will be prescribed under Section 42 of the Act after which an insured person who has not joined an approved society will become a deposit contributor. Whatever its duration it is of importance to an insured person that he should select his society as soon as possible in order that he may be fully secure of membership at the time of the commencement of benefits.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTCan the hon. Gentleman indicate what this period will be, because otherwise it will be very difficult to say what is going to happen to a large body of deposit contributors?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThat is a subject which is going to be considered by the Advisory Committee. If the hon. Gentleman will put a question in a week's time I may be able to answer him.
§ Sir J. D. REESMay I ask whether, in spite of the evidence of by-elections and associations and trades, this Act is to be forced so early upon an unwilling people?