§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many exemptions from class 2 national insurance contributions from self-employed people have been granted on grounds of low earnings in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe administration of national insurance is a matter for Mr. George Bertram, the acting chief executive of the Contributions Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from George Bertram to Mr. John Home Robertson, dated 13 February 1995:
As Acting Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency, I have responsibility for answering questions about operational matters relating to the National Insurance scheme. I have been asked to reply to your question asking how many exemptions from Class 2 National Insurance contributions from self-employed people have been granted on grounds of low earnings in each of the last five years.Small Earnings Exceptions have been granted as follows:
- 1989–90: 93,300
- 1990–91: 80,400
- 1991–92: 82,900
- 1992–93: 99,800
- 1993–94: 73,100
A sample statistical interrogation of the National Insurance Recording System was used to extrapolate these figures.