§ 132. Mr. Loganasked the Minister of National Insurance if it is intended by paragraph 3, of Circular A362, dated November, 1946, that compensation will not be paid and that permanent and half-time officials of approved societies may, or may not, be taken over.
§ Mr. SteeleThe paragraph is intended to indicate that there will be a prospect of employment in the Ministry for staff engaged during the remaining period before the functions of approved societies are taken over, as well as for staff already in the employ of the societies. The staffs eligible for compensation are described in Section 67 of the National Insurance Act.
§ 133. Mr. Loganasked the Minister of National Insurance what action he has taken to notify officials of approved societies of the date when he is taking over their services and the remuneration to be paid; and, if not required, to state the amount of compensation to be paid for loss of office.
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§ Mr. SteeleI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 10th instant to the hon. Member for Midlothian and Peebles, Northern (Lord John Hope).
§ 134. Mr. Loganasked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that unless he receives the fullest cooperation of the staffs of the approved societies he cannot launch the new Insurance Act; and if he is prepared to make the appointed day as 1st January, 1947, and from that date give to the staffs of the approved societies, Civil Service status and wages.
§ Mr. SteeleI am aware of the value of the cooperation of the staffs of approved societies and, as my hon. Friend doubtless knows, the terms on which engagements are to be offered to them under the new scheme are being considered by an advisory committee on which their staffs are represented. It is not possible to fix 1st January, 1947, as the appointed day for purposes of the scheme.