§ 5. Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many letters she has received, including those from hon. Members, concerning the proposed increase in insurance contributions by self-employed persons; and what has been the general nature of her reply to such letters.
§ 21. Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations she has received about the Government's plans for increased social security contributions by the self-employed; and whether she proposes any changes in the light of these representations.
§ Mr. O'MalleyIn the last six weeks we have received about 500 letters upon this subject. I have replied by correcting the misunderstandings in many of these letters and by explaining that the increased contributions now required from all contributors to pay for increased benefits are being shared between employers, employees and the self-employed in the proportions established in the Social Security Act 1973. The Government's view is that it would be unfair to the general body of contributors to the scheme to reduce the share of the cost of benefits which the previous Government assigned to the self-employed.