§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will seek powers to oblige local authorities to pay the national insurance stamp for foster mothers in order that they might qualify for a retirement pension.
§ Mr. O'MalleyNo. The basic structure of the contribution arrangements of the national insurance scheme is that there is a liability for contributions only in relation to people who are employed earners or self-employed earners. People, including foster mothers, who have no liability for contributions may, if they wish, pay class 3 contributions, which are voluntary, where these could count for benefits purposes. It would be quite inconsistent with this structure to compel anyone, least of all a third party, to pay class 3 contributions.