HC Deb 16 December 1976 vol 922 cc831-2W
Mr. Ovenden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants for national insurance benefits were refused payment because of contribution deficiences in the last 12 month period for which figures are available; and in how many of these cases it was subsequently established that national insurance deductions had been made from the claimant's earnings and not forwarded by his employer.

Mr. Deakins

Information about the number of persons disallowed national

Hours Worked
Male Female
Highest Average Highest Average
Week ended—
5th November 1976 67.5 60.94 70 62.2
12th November 1976 67.75 59.75 72.5 61.3
19th November 1976 77.5 55.5 72.5 60.3
26th November 1976 74.75 61.4 67.5 60.2

The lowest number of hours worked in any one week is, of course, dependent on annual leave and sickness and other absences.

All members of the CSU are entitled to an overtime rate of time and one half for overtime worked between Monday and Friday; duties at weekends and on

insurance benefits because of a contribution deficiency is not available in the form requested. On 31st May 1975, out of 933,000 claimants incapable of work, 29,000 had been disallowed benefit for that day because of a contribution deficiency. On 3rd May 1976, out of 1,200,000 persons registered as unemployed, 221,000 had been disallowed unemployment benefit for that day for the same reason. These are the latest dates for which figures are held. Information in this respect is not available for other benefits, nor are statistics kept in a way which shows the number of cases where it was subsequently found that the claimant's employer had made national insurance contribution deductions in the relevant period.