§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the level of graduated national insurance contributions payable in April 1975 for each class of contribution if the increases proposed in the Social Security (Amendment) Bill were redistributed to ensure that each class would be increased by the same percentage compared with 55W the levels proposed by the Social Security Act 1973.
§ Mr. O'MalleyThis would depend on a number of assumptions including the range of earnings to attract Class 1 contributions, and the range of profits or gains to attract Class 4 contributions; but the general effect would be that employers, and the self-employed with higher incomes, would pay less than under the Bill, as would opted-out married women and widows, while all other employed earners would pay more.
§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will introduce legislation to credit national insurance contributions where a man is involved full-time in looking after an invalid relative.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisWe are reviewing the social security provision for chronically sick and disabled persons; this review extends to the circumstances and needs of the families with whom they live. We shall be announcing our proposals as soon as possible.