§ 26. Sir Ian Fraserasked the Minister of National Insurance on what date he will lay the National Insurance (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations, 1948, before this House.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Insurance (Mr. Steele)These regulations were made in provisional form on 10th June and were laid before the House on 15th June. The provisional regulations are identical in terms with a draft of permanent regulations which is now being examined by the National Insurance Advisory Committee in accordance with the provisions of the National Insurance Act.
§ Sir I. FraserIs it not a fact that only the permanent regulations, and not the provisional ones, can properly be laid, and can the hon. Gentleman say when he will move them?
§ Mr. SteeleIn the time remaining before the appointed day, the Committee could not complete an examination of all the regulations, so we used this power to bring in provisional regulations because we had to have something ready for 5th July. The Committee is, at the moment, examining the permanent regulations, and they will be laid, with the Committee's report, before the House.
§ Sir I. FraserAre we to understand that only the permanent regulations will be effective?
§ Mr. SteeleThe regulations which are made at the moment are effective as from 5th July, and they will remain effective, and can remain effective, up to three months after the National Insurance Advisory Committee has reported. As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, the Committee is examining these permanent regulations at the moment, and we are anxious to put them before the House as soon as possible.