§ 4. Mr. LUNNasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the Insurance Unemployment Board, which controls the insurance industry special scheme for unemployment insurance, is charging insurance agents full quarterly contribu- 1874 tions as employers if they employ collectors, even for a few days in case of sickness or holidays, if one of the days of employment is the board's quarter day; that Rule 7 of the special scheme provides that weekly contributions for occasional employment be paid on quarter day as they have accrued, while clause 38 of the scheme states that an employer must pay a quarterly contribution for an employé who is employed on a quarter day; and whether he will take steps to compel the board to apply Rule 7 in every such case or indicate how those concerned may obtain redress?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe financial arrangements of the insurance industry scheme are based on the payment of a quarterly contribution to cover the ensuing quarter in respect of persons actually in employment on each quarter day, irrespective of the length of time for which they have been or will be employed. Rule 7 is intended to cover the case of persons who, owing to the casual nature of their employment, would not otherwise be covered under the general arrangements at all, and according to my information the application of that rule would not have any effect in reducing the employer's obligations in the class of case which the hon. Member mentions. In any case I would point out that the application of Rule 7 and also any proposals for modification of the provisions of the scheme are matters which are left to the discretion of the Insurance Industry Board.
§ Mr. LUNNWill the right hon. Gentleman meet a small deputation to discuss the effect of this matter, which is operating so unfairly on the insurance agents in the country?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI shall certainly be only too happy to meet the hon. Gentleman and any deputation which he may care to bring.