§ Mr. Fletcherasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he is aware that the increased rate of National Insurance contributions is affecting the willingness of employers to engage part-time staff; and whether, owing to the large number of people seeking part-time employment, but unable to undertake full-time employment, he will make some concessions in this respect, with a view to ensuring that there is the fullest possible encouragement in industry and commerce to engage those who are only able to do part-time work.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithNo. I would remind the hon. Member that one of the beneficial effects of the introduction of graduated contributions last April was that it enabled substantially higher rates of National Insurance pensions and benefits to be paid without any corresponding increase of the rates of contribution payable for lower-paid workers. The National Insurance contributions payable for the generality of persons in part-time employment have not, in fact, been appreciably increased since February, 1958. I have no reason to think that the present level of the National Insurance contributions is affecting the willingness of employers to engage part-time staff.