One interesting problem to which the National Insurance Bill has
given rise is the position of clergy and ministers of different denominations. Are they employed or self-employed persons? Plainly the former, but who is their employer, required as such to pay the employer's contribution in respect of them? There may be a simple answer to thip question, but none of the many autho- rities I have consulted has been able to Produce one. It has been suggested that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners will pay the contri- bution for the clergy ; if so, the burden will be considerable. In the case of Free Church ministers conditions will vary, for Congre- gational and Baptist ministers are the servants of their individual congregations ; Methodist and Presbyterian Ministers are not. How- ever, I understand that questions have been put down on all these points, so an official ruling should soon be available.
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