HC Deb 24 May 1911 vol 26 cc243-5
Mr. BRIDGEMAN

had the following question on the Paper: To ask if a member of a friendly society who has been paying 7d. a week to his society becomes insured through that society; "and" will he in future pay 2d. whilst the employer pays 3d. and the State 2d. into the funds of the friendly society?

The word "and" should not be in the question.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I was not quite sure what the hon. Member's question was, but I will answer it as on the Paper. In the circumstances described the society can substitute the benefits and contributions under the Bill for similar benefits hitherto given, and the contributions hitherto paid in respect of them. The member will pay the full contributions prescribed by the Bill, but the funds already accumulated by the society may be applied, under Clause 55, among other ways towards the payment of the members' contributions under the Bill.

Mr. C. BATHURST

What proportion of the 7d. would be regarded as representing the death and funeral benefits?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

We have nothing to do with death and funeral benefits under the Bill. As a matter of fact, we could not possibly under this Bill collect any money or allocate any portion of the fund to that purpose.

Mr. C. BATHURST

The right hon. Gentleman does not quite understand. I mean what proportion of the 7d. now paid to the friendly society will represent, and therefore be deducted from, the amount due from that society in respect of death and funeral benefits?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

That is entirely a matter for the society itself. We shall have nothing to do with it. It depends, of course, upon the amount of funeral benefit. Therefore it is a question rather to be addressed to them than us.

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

asked if a member of two friendly societies who has become insured in one society under Part I. of the Act, and who has been earning 20s. a week, and who, on falling sick, would be entitled to pay at the rate of 25s. a week, is compelled to forfeit 5s. a week of the amount of sick benefit to which his contributions have entitled him; and, if so, which of the two societies would be credited with the 5s., or would the State receive the whole money?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

In the circumstances described the member's contributions to the society in which he is insured for the purposes of the National Health Insurance Scheme would only entitle him to so much as would bring his sick pay up to 20s. It is therefore not the case that he would forfeit anything to which he would be entitled. The society in which he is insured for the purposes of the National Health Insurance Scheme would reap the advantage of not having to pay more than the amount due under the scheme.

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when a man is lying sick it costs rather more for better food, and so on, than when he is receiving wages, and will he therefore consider the advisability of altering what seems to be a hardship?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

That is, of course, one of the questions that I shall probably have to consider when we come to Committee. I would rather not express an opinion upon it now.