HC Deb 05 May 1914 vol 62 cc115-6
25. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

asked whether the Government has interfered with the discretion and control of the approved societies by limiting the amount which they may spend on administration expenses to 3s. 8d. per member; whether the Government took any steps to satisfy itself that this sum is sufficient to pay adequate remuneration to insurance agents who are employed to do the work of approved societies; and whether the Government has given any consideration to the repeated complaints of insurance agents that their remuneration for such work is inadequate?

Mr. W. BENN

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to Section 35 (2) of the National Insurance Act, 1911; and, as regards the second part, to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for North Islington on the 16th March. As I have previously stated, my right hon. Friend is of opinion that he cannot properly interfere in this matter.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Is it a matter of absolutely no concern to the Government whether the 50,000 agents, who are employed in the administration of the Act and whose work has made the Act successful, are adequately paid or not?

Mr. W. BENN

No, Sir. What I said was that the Commissioners cannot properly interfere in this matter.