HC Deb 06 February 1967 vol 740 cc1099-100
32. Mr. Newens

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will take steps to enable casual workers who do not come within normal pay-as-you-earn arrangements for tax purposes to pay contributions towards and to qualify for the payment of the earnings-related supplements to sickness and unemployment benefits.

Mr. Loughlin

No, Sir. For practical reasons it is essential to relate both earning-related supplements and graduated contributions to Schedule E earnings taxed through P.A.Y.E.

Mr. Newens

Is my hon. Friend aware that a considerable number of people in the printing industry, some meat porters and a number of people who are forced to accept self-employed status in a number of other industries, as part of the dodge that employers resort to in order to avoid Selective Employment Tax, are denied supplementary benefits? Does he not think it is high time that further consideration was given to this breach in the excellent scheme that was brought in?

Mr. Loughlin

I accept that the whole problem arises out of the complications due to the multiplicity of employers in given instances. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order."] I wish you would not be so stupid. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order. Withdraw."]

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman had better make clear that he was not referring to the Chair, and should in any case withdraw his remark.

Mr. Loughlin

Mr. Speaker, I willingly give you every assurance that I was not in any way intending to refer to you. In fact, I was really not even addressing the House. I was thinking aloud.

As I was saying, this arises out of the complication caused by a person having a multiplicity of employers. As my hon. Friend knows, the scheme was related to P.A.Y.E. He has sent me details of a particular case, and his constituent has submitted certain suggestions to us. I can assure my hon. Friend that I shall give those suggestions full consideration and write to him.