Report of the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 1740277147

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-132094

Document type:: Monograph

Title:: Report of the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: Stationery Office

Year of publication:: 1926

Scope:: XII, 394 S.

Digitisation:: 2020

Collection:: Economics Books

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Document type:: Monograph

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Chapter XIII. Miscellaneous questions

Collection:: Economics Books

MAJORITY REPORT. 199 464. We have received from the Ministry of Health one small suggestion for the extension of the classes of persons to be subject to compulsory insurance. It was pointed out to us (Kinnear, Q. 28,398, 23,400-23,402) that the ordinary test of contract of service is not fulfilled in the case of certain classes of persons who, although undoubtedly members of the wage-earning classes, cannot be said to be employed under the ordinary relationship of master and servant, e.g., tree fellers, hay cutters, stone breakers, market porters, and the like. Doubtful cases of this character are, we are informed, constantly arising for investiga- tion by the Department, and the question of the existence of a contract of service often turns on fine distinctions in the facts, or in the way in which the facts are presented. Generally speaking, there is a desire for Health Insurance (but not so much for Unemployment Insurance) amongst these persons, and not un- commonly they stamp their own cards, sometimes as voluntary contributors, but more often, and in this case irregularly, as employed contributors. The employers, however, usually seek to avoid the payment of contributions whether exigible or not. It has been suggested to us that cases of this type should be Included among the classes liable to insurance. 465. We are also reminded that the advent of the Widows’, Orphans’ and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act is bound to Accentuate the difficulties referred to, and we are informed that during the passage of the Contributory Pensions Bill through Parliament there were several demands for the inclusion of Workers of this class. 466. We are impressed by the evidence which we have eceived in regard to this matter, and we recommend that Part I of the First Schedule to the Act should be extended by the addi- ton of a paragraph to the following effect : Employment under a contract for the performance of manual labour for the purpose of any trade or business, ex- cept in so far as such employment may be excluded by a Special Order. The person in or for the purpose of whose business the manual labour is performed shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act to be the employer of the Person by whom such manual labour is performed. 467. The Special Order would provide for the exclusion of Persons not ordinarily themselves engaged in the performance of Manyg] labour under the contract and also possibly for any Particular employments where the conditions do not approximate © a contract of service. iia The class of persons we have in mind usually work fairly ogularly for the same employers, but even where they work for al employers the collection of contributions should not be : nded by any more difficulties than arise at present in the 888 of doclers and other casual labourers and. cutworkers.

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