32. Miss Wardasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will direct the attention of the National Insurance Advisory Committee, for its consideration, to the fact that, without any additional national expenditure, contributions to the Insurance Fund, in all groups, could be reduced substantially by a redeployment of financial resources connected with insurance contributions.
§ Mr. PeakeNo, Sir. I understand my hon. Friend has in mind the possibility of certain changes in the law relating to Income Tax. If so, it would not be a matter which could properly be referred to the Committee.
Miss WardHaving given an undertaking that the rate of contribution in the lower income groups would be examined by the National Insurance Advisory Committee, would not my hon. Friend agree that it would be a good thing if it were examined over a wide field? Will he ask for the co-operation of the Treasury in finding the money so that a substantial reduction may be brought about without adding to our national commitments?
§ Mr. PeakeI have no doubt that when it considers the matter the National Insurance Advisory Committee will have in mind the considerations to which my hon. Friend has referred.