HC Deb 15 March 1949 vol 462 cc1879-80
5. General Sir George Jeffreys

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will make it possible for such insured persons who may desire to do so to pay their contributions by banker's orders, payable quarterly in advance.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Insurance (Mr. Steele)

The possibility of providing special facilities of this kind has been examined, but in view of the extra accounting and recording work which they would cause the Department my right hon. Friend does not think he would be justified in introducing them at this stage.

Sir G. Jeffreys

Would it not be to the advantage of the Government to have the money paid in advance, as well as convenient to self-employed persons who have no accounting facilities and who might themselves forget to stamp their cards, but who have no wish to evade the law?

Mr. Steele

We are quite aware that there might be something which could be done, but this is one of those simple proposals which, when one comes to work it out in practice, one finds not so easy to operate. Of course, the fact is that it is departing from the general practice of putting a stamp on the card and it would add to the administrative cost. My right hon. Friend has this in mind, but we do not think it is desirable to operate it at this stage.

Sir G. Jeffreys

Will the right hon. Gentleman go into this question again? Will he bear in mind that it would be a great convenience to very many people if this system could be brought into force? Could not the cards be kept by the bankers, for instance, and cancelled as the payments are made? Again, would it not be a great convenience for the Government to be paid in advance?

Mr. Steele

We have no hesitation in saying that any person who wants to make a private arrangement with his bank can arrange for the banker to stamp his card. This is rather a different proposal. In the meantime, with all the difficulties and problems with which we are faced in bringing in the new scheme, we do not think it desirable to operate a scheme of this kind at this stage.