§ 2.41 p.m.
THE MINISTER OF STATE, COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS OFFICE (THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE)My Lords, my right honourable friend, the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, needs these regulations to take account of some of the changes made by the National Insurance Act, 1963, particularly the increase of the upper earnings limit for graduated contributions from £15 a week to £18. The regulations extend the various scales to cover earnings 420 which will in future count for graduated contributions. They also provide that the old scales shall continue to apply to ships which are at sea on June 1 and return to this country within the following three months. This will reduce the amount of clerical work falling on ships' masters. Your Lordships will be pleased to hear that the National Maritime Board, which represents the two sides of the shipping industry, has assured the Minister that it is in favour of all the changes made by the regulations. I beg to move that these regulations be now approved.
§ Moved, That the National Insurance (Mariners) Amendment Regulations, 1963, be approved.—(The Duke of Devonshire.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.