§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what would be the cost to the national insurance fund of (i) raising the lower earnings limit for the employer's contribution to £1,800 for a single person and £3,600 for a married couple, (ii) making a corresponding increase in the upper earnings limit, (iii) retaining the same rates of contribution for those contracted-out as well as those contracted-in but (iv) applying the rates only to incomes in excess of the lower earnings limit in both cases; and what would be the corresponding reduction in the employer's surcharge;
(2) if he will estimate the cost to the national insurance fund of (a) abolishing the reduced rate of contribution for married women and widows and of raising the lower earnings limit for employees to £1,800 for a single person and £3,600 for a married couple, (b) making a corresponding increase in the upper earnings limit, (c) retaining the same rates of contribution for those contracted-out as well as those contracted-in but (d) applying the rate only to income in excess of the lower earnings limit in both cases;
(3) if he will estimate the rate of national insurance charge which would have to be levied on employers and employees, respectively, if (i) the lower earnings limit were to be raised to £1,800 for single persons and £3,600 for married couples, (ii) the upper earnings limit were abolished, (iii) contributions were then assessed only on the excess above the lower limits and (iv) a reduced rate was provided as at present for those contracted out of the state pension scheme.
§ Dr. BoysonI regret that these figures are not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.