§ 57. Sir J. D. REESasked whether the Government proposes to abolish the compulsory levy of the insurance tax, in view of its general unpopularity and of the fact that of 2,120,000 persons in a position to pay or abstain from paying at their own discretion only 20,500, or less than 1 per cent., have elected to pay?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe answer is in the negative. The compulsory levy of contributions (except upon persons exempted on the ground of poverty) was accepted as necessary and desirable by the Opposition as well as by the Government when the Insurance Bill was passed, and I have no evidence that either party has changed its mind in the matter, or that the bulk of insured persons object to contributing to their own insurance.
§ Mr. GLYN-JONESIs it a fact, as indicated by the question, that 20,500 persons are voluntarily paying 7d. and 6d. for benefits that a compulsorily insured person only pays 4d. and 3d. for respectively?
§ Mr. MASTERMANYes, I think that is so.