39. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked how many male and female employed persons, respectively, have claimed exemption from contributions under the National Insurance Act; and whether any scheme has yet been formulated for using their employers' contributions for their benefit?
§ Mr. MASTERMANOne hundred and thirty-six thousand four hundred and thirty-one applications for exemption under Section 2 in all have been received by the Insurance Commissions, and 109,311 certificates have been granted, 69,932 to men and 39,379 to women. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. Further information than is yet available as to the average payments for exempt persons, and the 22 proportion who cease to be exempt by becoming insured persons or ceasing to be employed or otherwise, is required before a scheme for the disposal of the contributions can properly be framed.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSMeanwhile are the contributions being kept apart so that ultimately some of these people may get something?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think that thee record is being kept.