§ 25. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to amend the Selective Employment Tax so as to enable part-time workers to be employed for 16 or more hours instead of the present eight hours before employers have to pay the tax on them.
§ Mr. CallaghanA watch is being kept on the effects of the tax on the employment of part-timers. I shall bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.
§ Mr. AllaunWhile I thank my right hon. Friend very much for that Answer, may I ask him whether he thinks it a good thing for the country or for the individual that elderly, disabled and other part-time workers should be suffering a shake-out because of this? It is already beginning to happen.
§ Mr. CallaghanNo, Sir. I do not think that it would be a good thing. Indeed, we are keeping a very special watch through the Ministry of Labour on the extent to which this is happening, and I am glad to say that there is no strong evidence yet that it is taking place.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinDoes not the Chancellor agree that we might listen to the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) with more sympathy if he had supported the Opposition in the Amendments they moved to the Selective Employment Payments Act which dealt with part-time workers, the disabled and the elderly?