§ 41. Mr. THOMAS LEWISasked the Minister of Health if he will state, in connection with the third valuation of approved societies, if it is a uniform practice for the Government valuer to calculate, in the case of men, 28 per cent. of the total amount available for the provision of treatment benefits as the annual sum available for the provision of such benefits, and 30 per cent. of the corresponding sum in the case of women; and will he state the reason for the two different bases being adopted in the case of men and women, respectively?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The sum applied to treatment benefits including interest and State grant is converted into equal annual sums extending over the duration of the scheme which may be from four to 5½ years according to the date fixed for the fourth valuation. The difference referred to in the second part of the question arises from the variation in the State grant as between men and women.
§ 42. Mr. LEWISasked the Minister of Health if he will state, in connection with the valuations of those approved societies which have been completed for the third valuation period, the gross surplus shown in respect of such valuations; the amount of such surplus which is not allowed to be used for the provision of additional benefits to insured persons whether the amount so retained is determined upon a fixed percentage basis; if not, the highest and lowest per- 582 centages as between the respective societies of the gross surpluses thus retained; and the reason therefore?
§ Mr. GREENWOODNo general statement of the results of the third valuation of approved societies can be made until it has been completed for all societies. I would, however, direct the attention of my hon. Friend to Section 75 of the National Health Insurance Act, 1924, which requires the Treasury Valuer in certifying disposable surplus to have regard to the circumstances and pospects of the particular case with which he is dealing.
§ 56. Major BEAUMONT THOMASasked the Minister of Health what the estimated surplus is at present on the National Health Insurance Act; what was the interest upon the surpluses for the last year; and what was the cost of administration for that year?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI presume that the hon. and gallant Member wishes to have information with regard to the total funds accumulated under the National Health Insurance Acts, and not to the surplus funds of approved societies and branches as ascertained at the quinquennial valuations. The total amount of accumulated funds in hand in Great Britain at 31st December, 1929, the latest date for which the information is available, was £126,000,000 approximately. The interest accrued during the year ended 31st December 1929, was £5,600,000, and the cost of administration—including central administration—for the year was £5,400,000.