20. Major HOPEasked whether the Scottish Insurance Commissioners have recently issued instructions to their inspectors that they must be more active in detecting evasions of the provisions of the National Insurance Act by Scottish farmers; and whether the inspectorial staff is to be increased in order to carry out this work?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, Sir. I am informed that the activities of the Scottish inspectorate have already secured general compliance by farmers, as well as other classes of employers, with the provisions of the National Insurance Act. Neither the issue of special instructions nor art increase of staff for the purpose to which the hon. Member refers is, therefore, needed.
§ Mr. EUGENE WASONMay I ask whether it is not the fact that National Health Insurance societies are working very much more smoothly in Scotland than in England?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThey are working very smoothly in Scotland as the right hon. Gentleman will see when the Scottish report is presented, as I hope it will be in a few days.
Major HOPEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Scottish Chamber of Agriculture, by a majority of twenty to 777 one, has condemned one of the pamphlets which has been issued?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have had no communication from the Scottish Chamber of Agriculture.