§ Captain C. Smithasked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will specify the categories of persons who will 307W be for any reason out with the National Insurance scheme as at present proposed when it is in full operation; and whether he will provide an estimate, showing men and women separately, of the numbers of persons there will be in each of these categories in 1949, or at any other convenient date after the scheme is in full operation, assuming that all those who possess an option to remain outside the scheme exercise that option.
§ Mr. LindgrenUnder the National Insurance scheme all persons in Great Britain over school leaving age and under pensionable age, will be insured, with the exception of the very small class of persons resident here for short periods only and, subject to special conditions, non-308W gainfully occupied married women who elect not to be insured. Such women, estimated to number about eight millions in 1948, will, however, remain eligible for benefits on their husband's insurance. In addition, gainfully occupied married women may elect not to pay contributions but they too will be similarly eligible on their husband's insurance. In 1948 they are estimated at about 1½ millions. Self-employed and non-employed persons whose incomes do not exceed £104 a year may elect to be excepted from payment of contributions, thus foregoing title to benefits. The number of persons in these classes is estimated in 1948 to be about 4¾ millions, but the number of persons with incomes below £104 is not known.