§ 38. Lord ALEXANDER THYNNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether employers who have knowingly or unknowingly omitted to carry out their obligations under Part II. of the National Insurance Act by failing to affix stamps at the prescribed periods to workmen's unemployment books, and are subsequently called upon to pay arrears of contributions, are entitled to deduct one-half the amount of such arrears from the workmen's wages?
§ Mr. BURNSIn any case where contributions under Part II. of the National Insurance Act, 1911, have fallen into arrear and the employer subsequently pays all the contributions outstanding, I am advised that he would not be precluded by the Act or the present Regulations thereunder from recovering half the amount so paid by deducting reasonable instalments from the workmen's wages. The question of amending the Regulations is now under consideration.
§ Lord A. THYNNECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any limit to the amount that may be deducted as a reasonable instalment from the weekly wages in this respect?
§ Mr. BURNSNo. After considering the amendment of the Regulations I may be able to inform the Noble Lord.