§ 5. Mr. Archerasked the Minister of Social Security what are the difficulties which prevent the amendment of the existing regulations to permit the National Insurance card of a prisoner to be stamped, prior to his release, for the period of his detention.
§ Miss HerbisonThe National Insurance Regulations do not preclude the payment of contributions in respect of prisoners at the non-employed rate. Before I could make amending regulations to provide for contributions to be paid at the employed person's rate for prisoners not working under a contract of service, I should need to be satisfied that the prisoners could reasonably be regarded as wage earners in an analogous position to employed persons. The present arrangements for work by prisoners—including the level of remuneration—do not appear to fulfil this requirement.
§ Mr. ArcherWould not my right hon. Friend accept that many helpful promises 1086 of rehabilitation founder because the prisoner's past comes to light, not merely to the employer, but also to everybody in the wages office? Will she look at this matter again, whatever the status of prisoners may be under the Contracts of Employment Act?
§ Miss HerbisonI have already looked at all these matters. There are many other reasons, apart from a person's being in prison, why his cards are not stamped and he therefore has not a complete record. In view of the pressure from students, and of the pressure which might come from those who are exempted because of low income, there would be a great deal of criticism if only prisoners were selected for very special treatment.