HC Deb 23 May 1911 vol 26 cc135-6
Mr. YOUNGER

What about the marriage risk?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

That is one of the insurable risks.

Mr. YOUNGER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the scheme before the House proposed by the Government in connection with the superannuation of female teachers the whole of the contribution is to be paid on marriage, and the only sum that accrues to the fund is the accumulated interest? Why cannot this principle be applied here?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I am bound in a matter of this sort to take the advice of the actuaries, and their advice was certainly that we could not afford it. I can assure the hon. Member it was one of the questions I put to them. I thought it was very desirable if it could be done and at the same time retain sufficient in the fund for what might come upon it later on, say in widowhood. I found the actuaries very much opposed to it. They said it could not possibly be done without imposing a burden on the rest of the fund.

Mr. YOUNGER

Could the right hon. Gentleman give the House the actuarial report on this matter?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I am not quite sure it is in the documents circulated already. If not, I can easily supplement it. It was made after careful inquiries.

Mr. LEACH

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, seeing that the unemployed, uninsured, invalid widow of an insured man is to be entitled to the invalid benefit under the National Insurance Bill, if he will include in his scheme the invalid, uninsured, destitute widow of the uninsured husband?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

My hon. Friend is mistaken in supposing that the unemployed, uninsured, invalid widow of an insured man is entitled to disablement benefit, and, consequently, the question does not arise.

Mr. LEACH

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the National Insurance Bill will give the maternity benefit to the unemployed, uninsured, unmarried, mother of an insured man's child, as is the case with the unemployed, uninsured wife of an insured husband?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The reply is in the negative.

Mr. ASTOR

asked whether maternity benefit under the National Insurance Bill includes and covers medical attendance?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The reply is in the affirmative.