Written Answers To Questions
Friday, 22nd April, 1955
National Insurance And Industrial Injuries (Classification Rules)
asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will give a list of the types of workers regarded as casual labour for the purpose of National Insurance and Industrial Injury schemes.
The rules governing the classification of insured persons under the National Insurance Scheme and insurability under the Industrial Injuries Scheme are too complicated to be set out adequately within the limits of a reply to a Parliamentary Question. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of the relevant Regulations, and if there are any points on which he wants further information perhaps he will let me know.
Agriculture
Apples (National Grades)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will replace the extra fancy and fancy grades for apples by fancy and choice grades, as recommended by the Fruit Growers Association of Kent.
The extra fancy and fancy grades for apples are national grades recommended by the Ministry on the advice of a Committee which includes representatives of national associations of growers, wholesalers and retailers. If one of these associations proposes that changes in these grades should be made, I am prepared to ask the Advisory Committee to consider the proposals.
Attested Cattle Examinations (Veterinary Surgeons)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will approve the employment of available veterinary surgeons in private practice when there are not enough Government veterinary surgeons available to make the necessary examinations for attested cattle.
This is already the practice, and about 1,750 private veterinary surgeons are employed on this work by my Department.
Royal Air Force, Middle East (Household Utensils)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what provision is made for airmen and non-commissioned officers serving in the Middle East to obtain household utensils at reasonable prices when their families join them in these areas; and the comparable arrangements for officers.
Royal Air Force married quarters are completely furnished. No official arrangements are made to supply household utensils to officers and airmen who occupy private accommodation but in exceptional circumstances such articles may be stocked by the N.A.A.F.I. The rate of local overseas allowance for officers and airmen occupying private accommodation includes an element for the cost of furnishing.