§ 10. Sir WALTER NUGENTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the interpretation placed on the Second Schedule, Part II., of the National Insurance Act by explanatory leaflet, No. 6, issued in Ireland, which provides that from the wages of all workers between the ages of 16 and 21 3d. per week shall be deducted from males and 2d. from females, although those persons would only be entitled to receive sick benefit of 6s. and 5s., respectively, for the first 13 weeks' illness, and reduced to 5s. and 4s. for the second 13 weeks; whether he is aware that this class of workers rarely receives more than 9s. per week and often very much less; and whether, in view of the fact that adults receiving the same 334 rate of wages would have to contribute nothing and would receive sick benefits of 10s. and 7s. per week, respectively, he will state if the Schedule referred to has been correctly interpreted; and, if so, whether the National Health Insurance Commissioners have the power themselves to correct the effect of this interpretation?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe leaflet referred to correctly states in the portion quoted in the question the provisions of the Second Schedule (Part II.) of the Act, as they affect young persons under 21 who are not married and have no dependants; and the Commissioners have no power to vary these provisions.