HC Deb 03 June 1913 vol 53 c767
70. Sir ARTHUR GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the number of voluntary contributors under the National Insurance Act, the estimated number of persons qualified to become voluntary contributors, and the number estimated by the actuaries as likely to avail themselves of the Act?

Mr. MASTERMAN

The number of voluntary contributors, according to the latest returns, is 20,500. With regard to the second and third parts of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on the 1st May.

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

Am I right in assuming that the number estimated by the actuary was 829,000, and the number qualified over two millions? Can the right hon. Gentleman say how it is that the actual number has fallen so far short of the estimate of the experts?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I have no doubt the chief reason why the number is so much below the estimate of the actuary has been the campaign carried on against the Insurance Act