HC Deb 24 June 1955 vol 542 cc93-4W
Sir A. Bossom

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will look into the question of the amount of National Insurance contribution paid by the clergy, who are classified as self-employed, and so pay a larger contribution, whereas, in fact, they are employed by the Church Commissioners and their parish church council.

Mr. Marples

The only persons who can be treated as employed persons for the purposes of the National Insurance Acts are persons employed under a contract of service and persons deemed to be employed persons by virtue of Regulations. Following High Court decisions, clergymen have always been held not to be employed under a contract of service; and the National Insurance Advisory Committee, in reporting on the relevant Regulations, have expressed the view that they should not be treated as if they were so employed.