60. Mr. F. HALLasked how many prosecutions have been brought against persons for failure to comply with the provisions of Part I. of the National Insurance Act; the number of successful cases; and the total cost of the same?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe total number of prosecutions brought in England up to the present time is 134, of which 116 have been successful. Ten of the remainder have been withdrawn with the consent of the magistrates on the defendants agreeing to comply with the Act. The total cost to the Commissioners of these proceedings amounts to £782 10s. 6d. The costs recovered amount to £429 17s. 3d., making the net cost £352 13s. 3d. I may add that of the total cost £499 16s. 11d. represents the cost of cases which were taken by the defendants to the High Court on appeal, and which were all decided in 414 favour of the Commissioners. I am obtaining similar particulars from Scotland, Irleand, and Wales, which I will communicate to the hon. Member.