HC Deb 04 July 1955 vol 543 cc744-5
2. Mr. Hale

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will set up a Departmental committee to consider and report on anomalies arising out of the administration of the National Insurance Acts.

9. Sir F. Medlicott

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what proposals he has for examining and dealing with the various anomalies in the administration of the National Insurance Acts.

Mr. Peake

I do not know precisely what the hon. Members have in mind when they refer to "anomalies" but, as I explained in the debate on the Address on 14th June, I have referred a number of questions relating to the operation of the Acts to the National Insurance Advisory Committee for examination and advice.

Mr. Hale

Is not the Minister aware that the anomalies to which we refer are contained in the thousands of letters he has written to hon. Members of this House, saying that he regrets that he cannot interfere in what appear to be appropriate cases because the Act or the Regulations do not give him power to do so. Ought not this very wide range of subjects to come under consideration by the Committee?

Mr. Peake

It is because reviews have been promised on a number of occasions that the National Insurance Advisory Committee is now looking into five very large groups of questions in connection with this scheme. The hon. Member will have an opportunity, when that review is completed, of suggesting any further points which he wants us to look into. There is very little doubt that legislation amending the scheme will follow upon the reports of the Advisory Committee.

Dr. Summerskill

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recall the numbers of anomalies that have been brought to his notice on various occasions? Perhaps he remembers the last debate of about three weeks ago, when I asked him about an ineducable child for which there was no family allowance? He was sympathetic about that, and I think he was sympathetic to many others. All that my hon. Friend is asking for is a short amending Bill, of which I think the right hon. Gentleman has given a half-promise on many occasions.

Mr. Peake

The question of handicapped children does not come under the National Insurance Scheme but under the Family Allowances Act, and legislation is promised and will be presented in due course to deal with that point.