§ 72. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the complications that will be caused by the odd halfpenny, he will amend the proposed National Insurance contribution of 7s. 5½d. to be paid by employees.
§ Mr. VosperIn agreement with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, I propose to provide in the forthcoming Bill that the additional weekly contribution to be paid by an employed man towards the cost of the Health Service shall be 8d., making his share of the total weekly National Insurance and National Health Service contribution 7s. 5d.
§ Mr. LiptonIs the Minister aware that for this concession, however small, we are very thankful, because it will save cashiers and all the people making up pay packets an immense amount of trouble? Could not he go a little further and reduce it still more?
§ Mr. VosperIt is our intention that odd halfpennies should be eliminated.
§ Mr. NabarroWill the Minister take some action in regard to the quite ridiculous proposition which was put to the House a few weeks ago? Is he aware that millions of pounds worth of valuable office machinery used for wage computation and associated purposes does not provide for halfpenny digits? Surely one would expect the Civil Service to know that.
§ Mr. VosperIf my hon. Friend had studied my original reply, he would have seen that it eliminated the use of the halfpenny.
§ Mr. ChetwyndIs the halfpenny coming off the workers' contribution being put on to the employer, or is it being paid by the State?
§ Mr. VosperThe contribution now to be paid by the employer will be 3½d.