§ Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will explain why the Insurance Commissioners have issued a circular dealing with Part II. of the National Insurance Act, in which they state that the employer is entitled to deduct from wages paid to the workman the workman's share of the contributions, but omit all reference to the workman's liability, whereas in Section 85 of the Act it is stated not only that every employer but that every workman in an insured trade shall be liable to pay contributions; and whether he will instruct the Insurance Commissioners to issue a fresh circular making it clear that under the Insurance Act, as passed by this: House, the workman is liable for his portion of the weekly contribution?
Mr. ROBERTSONMy hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question which apparently refers to a, circular issued, not by the National Insurance Commissioners, but by the Board of Trade, who are responsible for the administration of Part II. 999W of the National Insurance Act. Section 85 of the Act provides that:—"Except where the regulations under this part of this Act otherwise prescribe, the employer shall, in the first instance, be liable to pay both the contribution payable by himself, and also on behalf of and to the exclusion of the workman, the contribution payable by such workman, and subject to such regulations, shall be entitled, notwithstanding the provisions of any Act or any contract to the contrary, to recover from the workman by deductions from the workman's wages or from any other payment due from him to the workman the amount of the contributions so paid by him on behalf of the workman." My right hon. Friend is of opinion that the circular correctly states the effect of the above Section, and there would appear to be no need for any correction.