HC Deb 21 April 1913 vol 52 cc20-1 P
38. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many employed contributors earning less than 1s. 6d. and 2s. a day, respectively, were assured at any recent date under the National Insurance Act, and how many were male and how many female?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)

The number of employed contributors of twenty-one and over, whose rate of remuneration did not exceed 2s. a working day and in respect of whom claims have been made for the first quarter for payment of the State contribution of 1d. a contribution, is approximately 411,000—

Men … … … 85,000
Women … … … 326,000

No information as to the numbers earning less than 1s. 6d. a day is available. This P information is not required either by the Commissioners or approved societies, as the difference in the rate of remuneration below 2s. a day only affects the division of the contribution between the employer and the employed person.

Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman say from the returns from the societies how many get under 1s. 6d. a day?

Mr. LOUGH

Do the figures given include Ireland?

Mr. MASTERMAN

These figures include all portions of the United Kingdom. On the other point I will see if I can ascertain what is desired.

42. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

asked the number of male and female voluntary contributors under the National Insurance Act who joined before the 15th January, 1913; and how many of these contributors were already members of friendly societies?

Mr. MASTERMAN

Voluntary contributors' cards for the second quarter have not yet been received from societies, and information as to the number of such contributors who join before the 15th January is therefore not yet available. With regard to the number of those who joined in the first quarter, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Walsall on the 27th March. I will see whether it is possible, without throwing a disproportionate amount of work on the approved societies, to obtain the information asked for in the last part of the question.