asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employers are more than: (a) three months, (b) six months, and (c) nine months in arrears with payment of their employee's national insurance contributions; and how many employees are affected in each case.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 16th December 1976], gave the following information:In October 1976 about 57,000 employers were three months or more in arrear with payment of their employee's national insurance contributions. A further breakdown of this figure is not available, and no information is held about the number of employees affected.