§ Mr. WILKIEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that many friendly societies, when paying sickness benefits, deduct the cost of postage and commission on postal or money orders from the amount of the benefits; and whether that practice may be continued in respect of the sickness benefits payable under the National Insurance Bill, or whether those benefits must always be paid in full to the insured person, even though he be unable to attend, either personally or by deputy, for the purpose of receiving payment in cash?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. McKinnon Wood)The matter is one to be dealt with by the rules of the societies. They will be under no obligation to make arrangements for distribution of benefits through the post, though, if they think fit to do so, it will be open to them to make such arrangements and charge the cost of them to general administrative expenses. In the absence of such arrangements there would be nothing to prevent remittances by post being made at the member's expense, if he desires it, in the manner described in the question.