§ 13. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Health what reply has been returned to the representations he has received expressing the desire that young persons should, on entering employment after leaving school, be brought within the scope of national health insurance as in the case of young persons under the provisions of the Unemployment Bill now before Parliament?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREMy right hon. Friend has promised to give the matter careful consideration, but has been obliged to point out the serious financial difficulties which make it impracticable to adopt the proposal at the present time.
§ Mr. DAVIESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that employers in many parts of the country dismiss boys and girls from their employment when they arrive at 16 because of this contribution to the National Health Insurance scheme; and, in view of the fact that the Unemployment Bill gets over that difficulty in respect of Unemployment Insurance contributions, will the hon. Gentleman look into the subject once more?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREWe have it in mind.