§ Sir J. D. REESasked whether as 95 per cent, of the lace outworkers in Nottingham are married women, the concentration and unemployment resulting from the operation of the National Insurance Act would be far less if the married women were excluded from its benefits than has actually resulted from the inclusion of married and single women; and whether the Government will therefore consider the propriety of allowing both classes to contract out of the Act?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe whole question will be considered in connection with Mr. Pope's report on the result of his inquiry into the formal objection made to the Special Order including married women outworkers within the scope of the National Insurance Act. The Commissioners hope to receive this report at an early date. In the meantime I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject.