§ 56. Mr. LANE-FOXasked whether, under the National Insurance Act, a blacksmith, on payment of 4s. 8d. contribution, can obtain benefits of the value of £200?
§ Mr. MASTERMANYes, Sir, a blacksmith or any other insured person suffering from tuberculosis could be recommended by an insurance committee for sanatorium treatment, the cost of which might involve an expenditure reaching to £200, even though the amount of contributions paid by or in respect of the insured person before the date of his illness did not exceed 4s. 8d.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXIs that a case which could honestly be put as a typical case under the Insurance Act?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt is a case which actually occurred, and it is a very remarkable one.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXBut is it a fair case to he quoted as typical, or is it exceptional?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt is a true case and a perfectly fair one, and I have no means for suggesting that it is a unique case receiving benefit. The recommendation for sanatorium benefit will continue so long as the patient is receiving benefit from the sanatorium.
§ Mr. JONATHAN SAMUELIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is possible under the Insurance Act for an insured person, say age twenty-one, after being insured for two years and paid £l 14s. 8d. in premium, to draw in benefits £617 10s.?
§ Mr. MASTERMANYes. That is one of the beneficent results of national insurance.