§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will amend the income limits for exemption from national insurance contributions to take account of the number of dependants an applicant has.
§ Mr. O'MalleyNo. It would complicate the scheme unduly and cause some people with dependants to lose their cover for contributory benefits.
§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will propose granting automatic exemption from national insurance contributions to all non-employed women who have dependent children.
§ Mr. O'MalleyUnder the new contribution arrangements from April 1975 non-employed persons will not be liable to pay national insurance contributions but will be permitted to pay them voluntarily. From 5th August 1974 they can get exception from liability if their income is not more than £650 a year—£520 at present.