HC Deb 23 June 1948 vol 452 cc1351-3
50. Mr. Donner

asked the Minister of Food whether it is necessary to proceed with the arrangements, laid down in a letter to the British Employers' Confederation, dated 24th May, for the distribution of the extra bread unit coupons

Minister of National Insurance proposes to submit to the National Insurance Advisory Committee the necessary preliminary draft Regulations under Section 57 of the National Insurance Act. The weekly rates for men in the Services will be: employer's share 2s. 10d.; employee's share 3s. 7d, of which, in present circumstances, 2s. 6d. will be deducted from the man's pay, the balance being borne on the Service Votes. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the correspondng rates for women, boys and girls.

Commander Noble

Will the Minister confirm that this will not in any way affect the present pensions schemes in force for men of the Forces?

Mr. Alexander

Not so far as I am aware, for personnel now serving, but I will look at that point carefully.

Mr. Symonds

Was this compulsory payment allowed for when the new pay codes were drawn up?

Mr. Alexander

I think that all the current circumstances were then taken into account.

Mr. Vane

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether these rates apply to Territorials and members of other volunteer Forces doing full-time service in camp, etc.?

Mr. Alexander

This applies to Service personnel embodied in the Services. Territorials are dealt with separately.

Details are as follow:

to manual workers in the new rationing year commencing on 18th July; or whether, in view of the heavy additional work on the staffs of employers, these arrangements can now be dispensed with.

The Minister of Food (Mr. Strachey)

I am afraid that it will be necessary to proceed with the arrangements to which the hon. Member refers.

Mr. Donner

Is the Minister aware that the continuation of bread rationing without any evidence in support of the assertion that it is still necessary, involves the misemployment of thousands of people?

Mr. Strachey

The hon. Member can rest assured that it will be abolished at the earliest moment at which it is possible to do so.