asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will consider the desirability of amending the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Act so as to enable wage-earners whose rate of remuneration does not exceed £350 per annum to participate in the scheme as voluntary contributors; and, if so, whether he will state when it is proposed to introduce legislation for this purpose.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Scheme for Voluntary Insurance.
Under the existing provisions of the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts, wage-earners who are engaged in manual labour are compulsorily insurable without reference to their rate of remuneration. Other persons who are compulsorily insured have the right to continue in insurance as voluntary contributors when their rate of remuneration exceeds £250 per annum if they have been two years in insurance and 104 contributions have been paid. It is not proposed at present to extend the scope of the scheme for voluntary insurance.