§ 78. Mr. J. WARDasked the Secretary to the Treasury, in view of the fact that the statement contained in a circular issued on 11th October by the Insurance Commissioners for Wales to the effect that all cards must be stamped for each week of employment whether the wages have been paid or not requires further explanation, whether he will see that this circular is at once withdrawn?
§ Mr. MASTERMANUnder the provisions of the National Insurance Act and Regulations the employer is bound to 1426 stamp the card for every week of employment in which services are rendered. The statement in the circular refers to cases in which wages for the week ending 13th October are not paid until after that date.
§ 79. Mr. J. WARDasked whether his attention has been drawn to a circular issued on 11th October by the Insurance Commissioners for Wales in which it is stated that unless insured persons become members of approved societies and hand their cards to their society before the 26th of October they will be compelled to become deposit contributors; and whether that statement is correct or whether some further explanation is necessary?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe circular referred to states the general position in the case of those who become employed contributors on 15th July. Every insured person who does not join an approved society before the end of this month becomes automatically a deposit contributor. Any such person, however, may be transferred on application from the position of deposit contributor to membership of an approved society, and in that case the society will be entitled to claim in respect of him the full reserve value which would have been credited to it if he had joined on his entry into insurance.
§ Mr. J. WARDDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think it is necessary to make that explanation on the circular which is issued?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think it is a very useful explanation to make, and I will certainly see that as much publicity is given to it as possible.