HC Deb 11 April 2003 vol 403 cc465-6W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what safeguards are in place to ensure that people with gaps in their national insurance records have the opportunity to make voluntary contributions before the deadline. [102604]

Mr. Wood

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what system is in place to inform those making national insurance contributions when they have failed to secure the required number of stamps in any given year. [107165]

Dawn Primarolo

There is normally a six year limit for a contributor to pay Class 3 voluntary contributions to make up gaps in contributions in a past year. The Inland Revenue have announced an extension of the limit in respect of the years 1996–97 to 2001–02 to 5 April 2008. Starting later this year the Inland Revenue will contact people who could have gaps in their records for the years from 1996–97 to 2001–02, to allow them to check their positions and make voluntary contributions if they wish to do so.