§ 37. Sir H. Williamsasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance in what categories Ministers of the Crown and Members of Parliament, respectively, are insured under his regulations under the National Insurance Act.
§ The Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. Osbert Peake)I am advised that both Ministers of the Crown and Members of this House fall within the class of self-employed persons as defined by Section 1 of the National Insurance Act, 1946.
§ Sir H. WilliamsWould my right hon. Friend not agree that it is very discourteous to the Monarch that a person who is employed by the Monarch should be described as self-employed?
§ Mr. PeakeThe distinction is between those employed under contracts of service who are classified as Class I contributors and those others who are gainfully occupied not under a contract of service.
§ Mr. E. FletcherWould the Minister say what special steps were taken to insure Members of the present Government against the risk of personal injury?
§ Mr. ChetwyndIs it not a fact that when a Member loses his seat, he is not entitled to National Insurance but to National Assistance, and should not that be put right?
§ Mr. E. FletcherMay I have an answer to my question?
§ Mr. BlytonHow can it be said that a Member of the House is not gainfully employed when he takes the oath to serve for five years and has to apply for the Chiltern Hundreds before he can be dismissed?
§ Mr. M. StewartIs it not the case that the facts disclosed in answer to the Question have been public knowledge for six years, and is it not rather surprising to find the hon. Member for Croydon, East (Sir H. Williams) wasting the time of the House in asking for this information?