§ 13. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether prosecutions of middlewomen for not stamping the contribution cards of outworkers in the Nottingham lace trade are imminent; whether he is aware that such omissions are due to the fact that the collection of this tax oppresses poor people; and whether the Government proposes to prosecute for such omissions in Nottingham?
§ Mr. MASTERMANSuch steps will be taken as may be necessary to secure compliance with the National Insurance Act in the case of outworkers employed by middlewomen in Nottingham and elsewhere. The middlewoman will presumably look to the manufacturer for assistance towards the payment of the contributions, and from evidence given at the recent inquiry it appeared that the increase in prices of 2½ per cent. which the Manufacturers' Association in Nottingham agreed some time ago to allow for this purpose would be regarded by the middlewoman as sufficient.