67. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked the number of deposit contributors, male and female, respectively, under the National Insurance Act, and how many had less than 7s. standing to his or her credit at the beginning of the insurance financial year?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe numbers of men and women who have surrendered their cards at post offices (excluding those handed in in error) are 342,000 and 187,000, respectively. In very many cases contributors who surrendered their cards at post offices joined societies before 13th January, but these societies have not yet completed their claims for transfer. On the other hand, some cards for the first and second quarters are still being received. The total number which I have given is therefore liable to modification. From an examination of the cards received by the English Commission it appears that less than 10 per cent. of the contributors for whom accounts have been opened in the Post Office Fund, and second quarter's cards have been received had less than 7s. standing to their credit on 13th January.
§ Mr. LYELLAre the figures more or less than the figures estimated when the National Insurance Act was first instituted?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThey are very much less than the estimated figures, and I think the figures as given are very much more than the actual number of deposit contributors.
§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member for Colchester prophesied that the number would be two millions?
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSMay I ask, arising out of that question, whether the hon. Member will wait and see?