HC Deb 04 December 1911 vol 32 cc1026-7
Mr. HUNT

asked whether a servant will receive 10s. or 7s. 6d. a week (unless the employer has contracted out) whenever he or she is ill; and will 7s. 6d. be paid to a servant when ill, whether in hospital, infirmary, or at the house in which he or she is employed?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

If she is in the house where she is employed, sickness benefit will be payable to her. If she is in a hospital or similar charitable institution, it may be paid towards the maintenance of any persons ordinarily dependent on her earnings, or, if she has no such dependents, to the hospital for her maintenance. It is only if she is in an institution supported by a public authority, and has no dependents, that the money is not payable at all.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what authority is to decide who are to be paid and who are not to be paid?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I do not think that is a matter which will be difficult to ascertain.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether he refers to legal dependents or voluntary dependents?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

That is a matter which will come before the local health committee with an appeal to the Commissioners.

Mr. BUTCHER

When a servant is in hospital who is to decide whether payment is to be made to her or to the hospital authority?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I have just answered that question.

Mr. HUNT

asked whether, if a servant receives free board and lodging, he or she will have to pay 3d., 2d., or 1d. a week whether his or her wages are 2s. a day, 1s. a day, or nothing at all; and what will be the corresponding payment of the employer?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

Where an employed person receives board and lodging from his employer, the employer is liable to pay 3d., except in cases (not being cases of apprenticeship) where no wages are paid, when he is liable for the whole contribution.

Mr. HUNT

asked what is the amount of wages calculated per day for a person who is lodged and fed by his or her employer?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

This is a point which it will be for the Insurance Commissioners to decide.

Mr. HUNT

Are we to understand that the Government cannot tell us anything about whether these people will have to pay 1d. or 2d.?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The Government cannot state what the exact figure will be in varying circumstances.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Did not the Chancellor of the Exchequer say the other day he expected it would be fixed at 10s. a week?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd George)

No, it depends entirely on the locality, naturally. The Post Office has made investigation as to the cost of living in various neighbourhoods.

Mr. HUNT

Will it also apply to whether they are well fed or badly fed?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

That will depend very largely on whether Tariff Reform is adopted.