22 FEBRUARY 1946, Page 15

NATIONAL INSURANCE AND INJUSTICE

Sra,—I have but recently found time to study the National Insurance Bill, and I am appalled at what I find in it. So far I have counted 51 out of the 79 clauses which specifically provide for the Minister to make any changes, modifications or new regulations he likes (see especially Clause 74), whereas the individual is given no latitude or legal rights, but is subject to ferocious penalties (see especially Clause 51) for non- compliance. The provisions under Clauses 48, 5r, 63 and 74, indeed, must come as a shock to anyone who imagines that this is still a free

country. Insurance is a contract which people enter into voluntarily in proportion to their feat-of poverty or monhary. lo-ss;. but howevek much the Government may feel that such a fear is justified while it continues in power, it has no right to misuse the law to impose such a contract upon unwilling people. The right to contract out is fundamental to the preservation of liberty.

should be not:d that under Clanse -5 those who, having £75 a year or less, cannot possibly afford the contributions; are to be allowed exemption (i.e., to contract out and lose benefits), which disposes entirely of the contention that no exemption can be allowed because we must all bear the burdens of the needy! Freedom from want, indeed! I should also like the Minister to explain how incomes froin 3os. a week upwards can pay as 7d. (5s. 9d. from the self-employed), and how fining people £m for the first failure to comply and £io for each day of a second offence against any regulations will promote freedom from want. It should not be forgotten that the Beveridge Rt.r.ort way pressed upon the public mind by Government propaganda as a war measure supposed to stimulate morale ; and that, by arrangement between the parties to the Coalition, no opportunity was given of returning a Government not pledged to Compulsory Insurance at the General Election. In these circumstances the right to contract out (whether by total exemption or by refund of all payments) cannot justly be denied. It is not too late to raise it on the Committee Stage ; but if our docile Parliament permits its infringement, they must be given no peace until it is re-established and the offending legislation repealed.—Yours faithfully, C. G. DOBBS.

21 Hampstead Hill Gardens, N.W. 3.