§ Sir WILLIAM BULLasked to what extent the fund raised by the sale of stamps under the National Insurance Act has been or will be used to expedite land purchase in Ireland; and, if the fund is used to facilitate the acquisition of freehold land by 48W tenants in Ireland, whether any part of the same fund will be made available to facilitate the acquisition by any class of tenants. in Great Britain of the freehold of land in their occupation?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAn account of the investments made by the National Debt Commissioners on behalf of the respective national health insurance funds will be presented to Parliament in due course under Section 54 (6) of the National Insurance Act. The funds may under the Act be invested in any securities which are charged upon, or guaranteed by, the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom. They would, therefore, become automatically available for facilitating land purchase in Great Britain, in the event of Parliament authorising the issue of guaranteed loans for the purpose of such purchase.
§ Mr. CLYNESasked the Postmaster-General whether he has considered the claims of sub-postmasters for reasonable payment for services in connection with the sale of insurance stamps; whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction at the absence of payment for the work now being done; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe question of the remuneration to be given to scale payment sub-postmasters for their services in connection with the sale of insurance stamps is not yet settled; but a payment on account is being made in respect of the first six months.