HC Deb 17 July 1911 vol 28 cc842-3W
Major WHITE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received communications from the Federation of Laundry Associations of Great Britain with regard to the National Insurance Bill; and whether, having regard to the healthiness of this trade and to the fact that in proportion to turnover and profit these employers have to employ a far greater number of hands than almost any other trade, he can see his way to make any concessions to prevent the undue penalising of this industry?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Representations from the. Federation of Laundry Associations have been received. It is not practicable to have different scales of contribution for different industries. It may be pointed out that as regards the employer the contribution becomes a charge on the whole industry, as all employers alike pay; whilst, if the employés of the trade are particularly healthy they will be able to enjoy additional benefits if they form an approved society of their own, as it is open to them to do.

Captain FABER

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether inquiries by laundries lead to the conclusion that sickness does not exceed from three days to one week per annum per worker; and whether, as a large proportion of workers are under twenty-one, the benefit will be partly at the 7s. 6d. rate and partly at the 5s. rate; and whether the result would be that the laundry woman would have contributed some £37 to secure a £27 benefit?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I have received a communication from the Federation of Laundry Associations in which this estimate of the sickness rate is adopted. But I know no reason why laundry work should be healthier than other occupations, and it is quite impossible to judge of the value of the estimates in the absence of information as to the ages of the persons concerned and other particulars. In order to contribute £37, a laundry woman would have to contribute in respect of 2,960 weeks, or nearly fifty-seven years, without allowing anything for periods of sickness and unemployment. Only a person enjoying very exceptional health could possibly draw so small a sum as £27 on account of benefits over so long a period.