§ 16. Mr. Hooleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the combined effect of higher national insurance payments and liability for the first eight weeks of sickness benefit on the profitability of companies in manufacturing industry.
§ Mr. BiffenThe changes in national insurance contributions will take effect from 6 April 1981; the employers statutory sick pay scheme will, if Parliament approves the necessary legislation, not take effect until April 1982. It is not, therefore, meaningful to make an assessment of the kind requested.