97. Mr. W. A. JENKINSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he can modify the requirements that all domestic servants, particularly in holiday resorts and in houses where only very few visitors are taken during the season, shall pay health insurance contributions; is he aware that in some cases as much as two years' arrears have been demanded; and, as this makes it difficult for employers who employ few servants to secure maids, will he cause instructions for exemption from health insurance to be issued in respect of servants who are casual and who only take employment for a few months in the year?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSDomestic servants, whether employed in private houses or in boarding or apartment houses, are required to be insured under the National Health Insurance Acts under the same conditions as other persons who are employed within the meaning of the Acts. It is, however, open to any person who is employed for less than 13 weeks in each of two consecutive contribution years to apply for exemption from the liability to pay the employé's share of the weekly contribution during periods of employment.