§ Sir JOSEPH DAVIESasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that large numbers of non-manual workers, after paying insurance for years, are, as a result of the depreciation in money values, now excluded from insurance benefits, and whether he will take steps to alter this by introducing a Bill to raise the income limit fixed by the Act of 1911 at £160 a year for non-manual workers to a figure which will represent at to-day's money values the value in 1911 of £160?
§ Major ASTORThe matter referred to is under the immediate consideration of the Government. I cannot to-day add anything to the reply I gave recently to the hon. Member for Wood Green on the same subject.
§ Mr. A. SHORTasked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether, in view of the increased cost of living and the consequent reduction in the value of the sovereign, any consideration has been given to the advisability of raising the limit of income below which recipients shall come under the National Insurance scheme: whether he is aware that employers are ceasing to contribute in respect to men whose incomes are now over the statutory limit, although those incomes are probably less in value than pre-war earnings, and whether he can hold out any hope of an amendment of the law to meet existing circumstances?
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§ Major ASTORThe matter referred to is under the immediate consideration of the Government. I cannot to-day add anything to the reply I gave recently to the hon. Member for Wood Green on the same subject.