§ Mr. PICKERSGILLasked the Home Secretary whether a scheme under Clause 55 of the National Insurance Bill might provide for the payment of benefit upon death; and whether it is intended that a scheme containing such provision should be confirmed by the registrar? This question is intended for the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with whom I have communicated. Perhaps he will be good enough to answer.
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI am afraid it would be quite impossible to include provision for death in our scheme, because there has been a definite pledge, so far as some of the insurance companies are concerned, that we will not interfere with that branch of insurance.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that before the last General Election the Home Secretary pledged himself that one of the principal provisions of this Bill would be death benefits and provision for widows and orphans?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThere is this provision for widows; those who have been contributors to the scheme before marriage can on widowhood receive full benefits, not death benefits. They can receive the same sickness benefits, although in the meantime they have not contributed at all, and the pledge of the Home Secretary has been fulfilled to that extent.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINDoes that apply to all widows or only to widows who go back to work?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEIt applies to all widows who have been contributors before marriage.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINOnly if they go back to work?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEOh no, they can become voluntary contributors if they like.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYWhat about the orphans?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEOf course provision for widows will naturally include provision for orphans.
§ Mr. PICKERSGILLasked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the reach of the provisions of the National Insurance Bill, and to the interest as well as the alleged misapprehensions which it has excited in the country, and also to the fact that it is really two Bills rolled into one, he will afford better opportunities to the very large number of unofficial Members who desire to speak upon it by giving a third day to the Debate on the Second Reading?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI shall be better able to answer the question when I see how the Debate proceeds.
§ Mr. HARRY LAWSONMay we take it it is settled that the Bill wilt be considered in Committee of the whole House, so that every Member may have an opportunity of discussing it?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat does not arise out of this question at all. Still my impression is that the Bill ought to be considered in this House.