§ 62. Mr. INGLEBYasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state what benefits approved societies will have obtained in return for the 2d. per member proposed 763 to be charged for the expenses of administration of medical benefit up to 14th January, 1913; and whether, in the event of the societies accepting the proposed agreement, it is intended that the two-ninths contributed by the State shall be paid to their credit in reduction of the 6s. and 1½d. paid by each member, respectively, for medical benefit and the expenses of its administration.
§ Mr. MASTERMANSection 15 (6) of the National Insurance Act requires societies to pay to insurance committees such sums as may be agreed or in default of agreement may be determined by the Commissioners in respect not only of medical benefit, but also of its administration, and the sum of 2d. per member has been suggested as a reasonable sum for the period up to 14th January, 1913, in view of the heavy administrative duties which fall on insurance committees before that date. Two-ninths of the sums referred to in the case of men, and one-fourth in the case of women, will, as provided by the Act, be paid by the State, the society only paying the remainder.
§ Mr. INGLEBYMay I ask whether 2d. per member does not amount to something like £50,000, and why so large a sum is voted for administrative services which do not yet exist?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think the most heavy task the insurance committees will have during the whole course of their existence will be performed in these six months.