HC Deb 24 October 1912 vol 42 c2377
71. Mr. LANSBURY

asked whether the London County Council officials are demanding that women employed casually as cleaners in the schools shall pay insurance contributions irrespective of the amount earned, and that a woman employed temporarily at Roman Road school, and who earned 7½d.,has been called upon to pay 3d. from this sum as insurance contribution; and if it is the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill to amend the National Insurance Act, in order to exclude persons earning such small wages from being compelled to contribute?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I have no information as to the particular case referred to, but if the women in question are remunerated at a rate equivalent to more than 2s. for a full day's work a deduction of 3d. would be in accordance with the provisions of the National Insurance Act, whatever their actual earnings may be. Careful inquiry is now being made into the working of the Act in relation to casual workers.

Mr. LANSBURY

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish a table showing that the deductions are not on weekly earnings, but on daily and hourly earnings, seeing that most people imagine that full deductions are made on any person earning less than fifteen shillings?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I will consider the matter.