§ Sir W. Robson Brownasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether, in view of the relatively large number of workers necessarily employed on a part-time basis, and the consequential disproportionate cost of the resultant National Insurance contributions in relation to the wages paid, he will consider extending the period of non-liability to insurance contributions from four hours to fifteen hours in any one week, or alternatively to reduce the amount of the contributions in such cases by one half.
§ Miss PittThe liability for National Insurance contributions in respect of part-time employment was the subject of a special report by the National Insurance Advisory Committee presented to Parliament in July, 1957 (Cmnd. 206). In accordance with this Report, Regulations were made with effect from 6th January, 1958, which, in general, restrict the liability for contributions as an employed person to employments of more than eight hours' duration. I do not think a further 3W review of the subject would be justified at this time, but I would remind my hon. Friend that one effect of the National Insurance Bill recently passed by this House will be an appreciable reduction in the contributions payable in respect of persons with low earnings, including part-time workers.