§ (1) The provisions of this section shall have effect in relation to the transition from the provisions of the Insurance Act as in force before the commencement of this Act to the provisions of that Act as amended by this Act.
§ (2) Regulations may be made under the Insurance Act in relation to any of the following persons, that is to say—
- (a) persons who are treated as insured on the thirty-first day of December, nineteen hundred and thirty-five, by virtue of any of the provisions of section three of the Insurance Act;
- (b) persons who are voluntary contributors on that date but became voluntary contributors after the end of the year nineteen hundred and thirty-two—
§ Brought up, and read the First time.
§ 7.10 p.m.
§ Sir K. WOODI beg to move, "That the Clause be read a Second time."
I undertook on the Second Reading to give sympathetic consideration to the position of unemployed persons who, because of the provisions of the 1932 Act, became voluntary contributors because 96 they were doubtful of their position after the end of 1935. The power to be taken under this Clause to deal with these voluntary contributors will do it in the way which the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) desires. It enables provisions to be made so that, as from the date when the provisions of Clause I relating to continuance of insurance come into operation, this class of voluntary contributors can be dealt with in relation to that Clause as though they were in the same category as employed contributors. That will place these persons in exactly the position which the hon. Gentleman desires.
§ 7.11 p.m.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESIt is not our usual practice to throw bouquets, but I think I might take one flower and throw it to the right hon. Gentleman on this occasion—although he seems to have forgotten the point we raised in our new Clause. As he has acceded to our request on this score, may I put this point to him? I am speaking of the unemployed man who became a voluntary contributor—sometimes at the instance of Members of Parliament. Will these persons, under the regulations, continue to enjoy the benefits of the voluntary contributor class up to the point when they come to be dealt with as if they had never been in the voluntary class? I want to be assured that when the regulations are made they shall not be in a worse position than if they had never become voluntary contributors at all. As things stand, it seems that they would have been better off if they had never paid anything out of their own pockets, As these people have paid to try to secure their interest, I hope the regulations will be drafted in such a way that they will not be worse off than if they had never become voluntary contributors.
§ Sir K. WOODThis raises a very technical matter. We are going to consult with the Consultative Council as to how this matter can best be dealt with. Obviously, the approved societies must be consulted, but the whole object and principle of the Amendment is to put them in the same position as other people who are going to benefit.
§ Clause added to the Bill.