§ 69. Mr. Bodyasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he is aware that because of the depreciation in the value of the pound since the passing of the National Insurance Act. 1946, there are many students and articled clerks who are receiving grants, scholarship repayments of premiums and similar incomes in excess of the minimum figure below which National Insurance contributions need not be made; whether he is aware that this is causing hardship to many students and articled clerks which the National Insurance Act, 1946, was intended to avoid; and what steps he proposes to take to rectify this growing injustice.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterStudents under full-time education and unpaid articled clerks are not compelled to pay contributions. There is provision for people on a very low rate of earnings to pay a smaller share of the contribution; the limit for this was increased in 1955. In the case of self- and non-employed persons the limit for the small-income exception was also raised in 1955. I doubt 99W whether the time is yet appropriate for a further review of these limits, but I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.