§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many cases in each of the years 1970, 1971,and up to the present time in ersons were excused payment of ontributions of national insurance beause of low income.
§ Mr. DeanAbout 184,000 in 1970, 195,000 in 1971 and 210,000 in 1972. Figures for 1973 are not yet available.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will define the practice of his Department in explaining to persons applying to be excused from payment of national insurance contributions because of low income what the possible consequences are in so far as future benefits and widows' pensions are concerned.
(2) if he will review the current practice of his Department in connection with explanations given to persons seeking to be excused payment of contributions of national insurance because of low income 219W as to the likely consequences in the event of payment being excused, so that such explanations if given orally are subsequently confirmed in writing.
§ Mr. DeanPersons applying to be excused payment of national insurance contributions as self-employed or non-employed persons from a current date are given a copy of the Department's leaflet about smal income exception. This explains the effect of non-payment of contributions on future benefits and in particular that widow's benefit depends on the husband's yearly average of contributions. Similar information is given where a "self-employed or non-employed person is excused from paying arreas of contributions because of his financial and other circumstances. Any additional explanation given orally would be confirmed in writing on request. We could not undertake to go beyond this.