§ Mrs. GordonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the amount of national insurance contributions outstanding from self-employed individuals;
(2) what is the amount of national insurance contributions outstanding from companies with more than five employees;
(3) if he will list the staffing levels for the departments concerned with collecting outstanding national insurance contributions for each of the past five years.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe amount of unpaid national insurance contributions due for self-employed individuals is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive of the Contributions Agency. She will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.
§ Mrs. GordonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the effect on employees' pension rights of non-payment of national insurance contributions by their employers.
§ Miss WiddecombeRegulations provide that where a primary class 1 contribution payable by a secondary contributor on an employee's behalf is not paid, the contribution can nevertheless be treated as paid on the due date so as not to affect the employee's pension rights, providing certain conditions are met. It must be shown to the Secretary of State's satisfaction that the failure to pay the contribution has not been with the consent or connivance of the employee, nor attributable to any negligence on his part.