HL Deb 30 November 1999 vol 607 cc37-8WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hollis of Heigham on the 9 November (WA 145), what is the ground of their confidence that women in women's refuges should be able to supply national insurance numbers "even if they have left home without being able to remove any personal possessions"; whether they have any information on the proportion of the population who know their national insurance number by heart; and whether there will be any exemption for those suffering, from concussion. [HL9]

Baroness Hollis of Heigham

We recognise that women entering hostels may not be able to supply their national insurance number, but they will be able to supply sufficient information—i.e. name, date of birth, previous addresses etc—for one to be traced or allocated.

Local authorities should consider each case on its merits—including the welfare and condition of the claimant and her family.

We have no information on the proportion of the population who know their national insurance number.