HC Deb 18 December 1975 vol 902 cc724-5W
Mr. Tebbit

asked the Lord President of the Council in which respects Members of Parliament are regarded as employed persons; and in which they are regarded as self-employed, or having no employer.

Mr. Edward Short

Members of Parliament are office holders. Since April 1975 all office holders, including Members of Parliament, with emoluments chargeable to income tax under income tax Schedule E have been treated as class I contributors for national insurance contribution purposes. This is in accordance with the provisions of the Social Security Act 1975. The provisions make clear that office holders are not employed under a contract of service like employees, and that they are not regarded for national insurance purposes as having an employer.