§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the number of persons now drawing social security benefits because they are prevented from working as self-employed by non-possession of a subcontractors tax-certificate by reason of absence abroad for three years; and what is the cost of such benefits to public funds.
§ Mr. OrmeNone, because there are unlikely to be any such people. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 15th November.—[Vol. 919, c.368–9.]