§ Mr. John Pageasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will publish a table showing separately the number of national insurance cards issued annually over the last 10 years to new Commonwealth citizens who are (a) illegal immigrants, (b) had outstayed their work permits or (c) had been admitted as students or for a purpose other than work; and whether she is considering a change in the methods of her Department in the issue of cards to such categories.
§ Mr. O'MalleyThe categories specified by the hon. Member are not relevant to national insurance registration and our records do not enable any such cases to be identified. Under a revised procedure introduced last year identity particulars provided by applicants for registration are checked by the scrutiny of various documents such as the passports of immigrants, and if doubts arise advice may be sought from the appropriate authority. No change in these arrangements is contemplated at present. Since April 1975 national insurance cards have not been used for employed persons but applicants for registration have to be issued with national insurance numbers.