54. Major HOPEasked the Secretary to the Treasury how many employed contributors in Scotland have been permitted to pay the reduced contributions under Clause 47 of the National Insurance Act; 1176 and how many of these are agricultural labourers?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)The special provisions of Section 47 of the Act are in operation as regards about 17,190 insured persons in Scotland. It is not possible to give the numbers of any particular class of persons included in this total.
Major HOPEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that of the agricultural labourers of Midlothian only 8 per cent. have found the Section any advantage to them, although it was framed for their peculiar circumstances?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt was framed to meet exceptional cases, and if only 8 per cent. wish those exceptional arrangements I think it was worth doing.