Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the firm of Joseph Owen and Sons, Limited, timber merchants, of Melrose Road, Lverpool, compelled their employés to sign a form stating their age and the name of the society they had made their approved society for the benefits of the National Insurance Act, and that the firm stopped 4d. from the wages of all their employés under sixteen years of age; and whether he will approach the firm upon the matter and point out the illegality of their action?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have made inquiry into this case, and it has been pointed out to the firm that to require employés to state the name of their approved society is inconsistent with the principle of the Act—that insured persons should have freedom in the choice of their society. I am satisfied that the allegation contained in the second part of the question, that the firm stopped 4d. from the wages of those of their employés who are under sixteen, and therefore not insured, is without foundation.