62. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Minister of Health the approximate number of persons who, on account of their not being insured under the National Health Insurance Acts, will be excluded from all benefits under the proposed Pensions Bill, and the proportion which will be wage earners?
§ Sir K. WOODSo far as the first part of this question is concerned, I would refer the hon. Member to Tables F and G on pages 41 and 42 of the Government Actuary's Report on the Bill. These tables show in some detail the total population of each sex and the corresponding insured population. In regard to the second part of the question, the compulsory provisions of the Bill apply to practically all wage earners who are either engaged in manual labour or are employed at rates of remuneration not exceeding £250 a year, and provision is being made for the continuance, on a voluntary basis, of the insurance of wage earners who cease, or have already ceased, to be included in these categories.