asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of people who now contribute to national insurance; and what percentage this is of the total population over school-leaving age.

Owing to sickness, unemployment, the exercise of options by certain classes and similar reasons, the number of people who are actually contributing under the National Insurance Act on any day cannot be stated. But in July, 1949 (the latest date for which figures are available) about 24 million persons had registered under the Act. The total population of Great Britain aged 15 and over is about 38,000,000, but this figure includes a considerable number of married women, pensioners and others who are under no obligation to contribute.