HC Deb 13 June 1912 vol 39 cc1185-7W
Mr. ROWNTREE

asked by what means a domestic servant who temporarily relinquishes her employment in order to return home to nurse a sick relative will be able to continue her insurance until such time as she can return to her usual employment?

Mr. MASTERMAN

A servant will not fall out of insurance in the circumstances mentioned. She would suffer no reduction in benefit at all, unless her arrears amounted to four weeks a year on the average since her entry into insurance, and would not lose all benefits even temporarily unless they amounted to more than six months on the average. Even in this latter case she would not necessarily fall out of insurance, and would be able on re-entering employment to come back into benefit gradually without losing the value of her previous contributions and her original reserve value.

Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKE

asked whether, in the event of domestic female servants residing in districts where approved societies have no lodges, the National Insurance Commissioners will compel such servants to become Post Office contributors?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I do not anticipate that there will be any part of the United Kingdom in which no approved society will be operating. Apart from local societies and societies with lodges, there are, of course, many centralised societies which members residing in any part of the United Kingdom may join, and which are so organised as to be able to distribute benefits locally.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

likewise asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the recent Order issued by the National Insurance Commissioners compels employers of maidservants to become honorary State collectors of the maidservants' tax; and whether that is the intention of the National Insurance Commissioners?

Mr. MASTERMAN

The Commissioners have issued no Order on the subject, nor have they any intention of issuing any Order contrary to the plain provisions of the Act. As I stated in answer to the hon. Member for South Wilts on Tuesday last, the employer of the domestic servant is entitled under Section 4 (2) of the Act, but not compelled under penalty, to make a deduction of an amount determined by the Act from the servant's wages towards her insurance.