§ 17. Mr. Grimondasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if his Advisory Committee has reached any further conclusions on the treatment for insurance purposes of self-employed people and people with small incomes.
§ Mr. PeakeThe National Insurance Advisory Committee's Report on the liability for contributions of persons with small incomes was laid before the House in April, and its recommendations have since been embodied in legislation. I hope for further advice about the treatment of part-time workers whose total income is small when, as I recently asked the Committee to do, it has reviewed the contribution position of part-time workers in general. The insurance of self-employed persons is not, as such, before the Committee.
§ Mr. GrimondDoes that answer mean that the question of the insurance of self-employed persons is not to be laid before the Committee at all? Secondly, when may we expect the Report on the part-time workers?
§ Mr. PeakeWith regard to the latter part of the Question, I could not say exactly when we shall get the Report on 753 the part-time workers. So far as the self-employed are concerned, the hon. Gentleman will, I hope, recall that the National Insurance Act of 1954 did give the self-employed persons a much fairer and squarer deal, both as to contributions and benefits, than they had ever had before. If the hon. Member has any further suggestions to make about self-employed persons under the Scheme, I shall be happy to take them into consideration.