§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Attorney-General whether, having regard to the auxiliaries to the position of domestic servants under the National Insurance Bill, he will state to the House what will be the exact position, both as to wages and sick pay, of a servant who is taken ill if her illness permits her to be removed to her own home or to a hospital, and if her illness is such that she remains in the house of her employer but is unable to do her work?
Mr. McKINNON WOODIn the cases mentioned, provided that the hospital is supported by voluntary subscriptions, sickness benefit will be payable. When the servant stays in the house of her employer or goes home it will be payable to the servant. In the case of the hospital, it will be paid to her dependents, if she has any, or, if she has none, to the hospital, if an agreement has been made by her society for the purpose. The servant's right to wages is not affected by the Bill.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSWould the right hon. Gentleman say what really is their right?
Mr. McKINNON WOODNo one knows better than the hon. Gentleman that is a question of law which it would not be proper for me to discuss in answer to a question.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSWill the Attorney-General be likely to be here to answer that question?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI am sure my right hon. and learned Friend would not answer a question of that sort.