§ 60. Sir J. D. REESasked whether it is competent to Mr. Pope, who is investigating the application of the National Insurance Act to the Nottingham lace trade outworkers, to recommend that these people should be allowed to contract out in view to the alleviation of the hardships they suffer from the compulsory collection of the tax?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt is competent for Mr. Pope to recommend any course of action possible under the terms of the National Insurance Act with a view to meeting difficulties resulting from the operation of the special Order with regard to married women outworkers. The Act does not, however, provide for contracting out by individual employers of outworkers.
§ Sir J. D. REESWill the matter be reconsidered in view of this very great hardship?
§ Mr. MASTERMANPerhaps the hon. Gentleman had better wait until we receive the report from Mr. Pope on the whole subject.
§ Mr. MASTERMANEvidence is being taken at the present time. There will be no delay in presenting it.