Written question asked by Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 24 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 27 April 2001. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Friday, 27 April 2001 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the publicity campaign run by his Department in 2000 aimed at women who held a valid election to pay national insurance contributions at the reduced rate. - Including figures and ref to Inland Revenue Press Release published on 29 September 2000.

Answer: Mr. Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the publicity campaign run by his Department in 2000 aimed at women who held a valid election to pay National Insurance contributions at the reduced rate. [159224] Dawn Primarolo: An Inland Revenue Press Release published on 29 September 2000 provided details of the letter which was issued throughout October 2000 to around 250,000 women who had previously elected to pay reduced rate National Insurance contributions. The letter informed them of changes to the structure of employee National Insurance contributions introduced from April 2000 and advised them to consider their elections in light of these changes but taking into account their own particular circumstances. A dedicated helpline was set up to provide further information and assistance and some 63,000 telephone inquiries were received.

Secondary information