HC Deb 12 March 1951 vol 485 cc1042-3
14. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of National Insurance what progress has been made, following discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in respect to enabling prisoners in His Majesty's Prisons to maintain themselves in benefit under the National Insurance Scheme.

The Minister of National Insurance (Dr. Edith Summerskill)

My right hon. Friend and I have come to the conclusion that the existing arrangements, which are described in the reply given on 13th February to a Question by the hon. Member for Lancaster (Mr. F. Maclean), are as satisfactory as is possible in all the circumstances.

Mr. Dodds

Is my right hon. Friend aware that under the present unsatisfactory arrangements many men and women who go to prison have to pay a far higher penalty than the law demands, despite the time that is allowed for the payment of their contributions afterwards; and in view of the modest sum of money involved, could not something more effective be done to get rid of these injustices?

Dr. Summerskill

I cannot agree with my hon. Friend. Perhaps he has not recalled the regulations, that were made last year which enable these men and women after release to make their payment retrospectively. In certain circumstances, they have five years in which to do so.

Mr. Dodds

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that to be imprisoned for five years and then to come out and to have these arrears added, is too much for most people who have been in prison for several years?

Dr. Summerskill

I did not say "if the person had been in prison for five years." I said that the person concerned would have a period of five years after release in which to make the payments.

Mr. Dodds

They might have been in prison for five or seven years.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

If Z men in His Majesty's Prisons are called up for His Majesty's Forces, how will this affect their insurance benefits?