§ Mr. JACOBSENasked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, if a person employed as a printer-in-charge and earning, with special war bonus, over £160 per annum ceases to become a compulsorily insured person under the National Insurance Act as long as his earnings exceed such sum of £160; and, if so, may he become a voluntary subscriber?
§ Sir E. CORNWALLUnder the National Insurance Act, 1911, a person whose rate of remuneration exceeds £160 a year is not disqualified for insurance as an employed contributor unless he is employed otherwise than by way of manual labour. If any question arises as to whether the rate of remuneration of a given individual, not employed on manual labour, does or does not exceed that limit, any extra receipts in respect of the employment, by bonus or otherwise, of a permanent nature would have to be included.
If any question arises as to whether the employment of a particular individual, or whether some class of employment, remunerated at a rate exceeding £160 a year, must be treated as employment by, way of manual labour, it may be referred to the Insurance Commissioners and determined by them under their special powers and procedure as provided under Section 66 of the Act. It is, therefore, impossible for me to give any answer to the general proposition indicated in my hon. Friend's question. If he has a particular individual case in view I shall be happy to have it investigated if he will cause it to be referred to me.
In reply to the concluding paragraph of the question, any person who has been insured as an employed contributor for at least two years may, on ceasing to be so insured, continue in insurance as a voluntary contributor.