HC Deb 16 February 1953 vol 511 c89W
63. Mr. Alport

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will consider introducing legislation to enable self-employed persons to obtain benefits similar to those available to persons in Group I in return for the payment on a voluntary basis of a higher rate of contribution.

Mr. Peake

No. The only benefits of the National Insurance Acts which are not provided for self-employed persons are unemployment benefit and industrial injury benefit. It has never been regarded as practicable to provide these benefits for the self-employed, either on a compulsory or a voluntary basis.