Mr Thomas Steele: As I have already indicated, there was a large increase in sickness in Cardiff during certain weeks in January. I am assured that steps have been taken to strengthen the staff in particular offices to cover that point.
Mr Thomas Steele: I am not aware of any case in which such circumstances have arisen, but if my hon. and gallant Friend has one in mind and will let me have the details I will make further inquiries.
Mr Thomas Steele: Yes, Sir.
Mr Thomas Steele: The possibility of providing special facilities of this kind has been examined, but in view of the extra accounting and recording work which they would cause the Department my right hon. Friend does not think he would be justified in introducing them at this stage.
Mr Thomas Steele: We are quite aware that there might be something which could be done, but this is one of those simple proposals which, when one comes to work it out in practice, one finds not so easy to operate. Of course, the fact is that it is departing from the general practice of putting a stamp on the card and it would add to the administrative cost. My right hon. Friend has this in mind, but we do not...
Mr Thomas Steele: We have no hesitation in saying that any person who wants to make a private arrangement with his bank can arrange for the banker to stamp his card. This is rather a different proposal. In the meantime, with all the difficulties and problems with which we are faced in bringing in the new scheme, we do not think it desirable to operate a scheme of this kind at this stage.
Mr Thomas Steele: I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. The regulations in question are widely drawn, but their interpretation is a matter for the appropriate authorities under the Industrial Injuries Act. I am not aware that any ruling has yet been given on the question whether this particular form of disease is covered or not. If my hon. Friend has any...
Mr Thomas Steele: I am advised that, in respect of their statutory duties, part-time magistrates' clerks are not under a contract of service, and that in relation to those duties they are self-employed persons. If any such clerk carries out other functions his final classification, however, may depend on the nature and scope of those functions.
Mr Thomas Steele: I should not like to enter into all the legal difficulties of this problem by question and answer on the Floor of the House, but it is proposed to seek discussions with the interested bodies in the hope of establishing facts which would enable a definite conclusion to be reached.
Mr Thomas Steele: I would refer the noble Lady to the reply given to the noble Lady the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Viscountess Davidson) on 22nd February a copy of which I am sending her.
Mr Thomas Steele: This Question refers to married women, and not to widows. So far as widows and others are concerned, if they do not come within the scheme, we have made provision under the National Assistance Act to cover any case of hardship.
Mr Thomas Steele: The question of allowing these women to come in voluntarily has been discussed on many occasions in this House. The fact is that we cannot possibly allow a certain section of married women to become voluntary contributors because it would involve a very heavy additional burden on the fund.
Mr Thomas Steele: I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on this point to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 3rd March last, a copy of which I am sending him.
Mr Thomas Steele: The fact is that this matter was discussed during the Committee stage of the Bill. At that time, my right hon. Friend said that he was prepared to receive representations from any organisations of self-employed people on the matter, but no organisation has made any such representation. In fact, one particular organisation, after considering the matter, decided not to press the point.
Mr Thomas Steele: Yes, Sir.
Mr Thomas Steele: I regret that this information is not available and could not be obtained without special inquiry, which I do not think would be justified. These widows will in general be able to qualify for the new retirement pension: for those too old to contribute under the new scheme the right to a 10s. pension at 70 under the old arrangements has been preserved.
Mr Thomas Steele: That is an entirely different matter.
Mr Thomas Steele: Inquiries do not show that the time taken to deal with two cases which my hon. Friend has sent was unreasonable but I will let him have further particulars by letter in due course.
Mr Thomas Steele: I reget that a mistake was made in this case. Mr. Hardy's contribution record has since been investigated and as a result he will be treated as having a full record for the year 1947–48.
Mr Thomas Steele: The clerk in the local office who was dealing with this matter unfortunately gave the wrong impression to Mr. Hardy; but Mr. Hardy was visited by one of our inspectors in January and in February and there was no misapprehension or misunderstanding in his mind as to the actual cause of the delay.
