52. EARL of KERRYasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state in the case of men servants and women servants, respectively, who are employed six months in England and six months in Ireland, the amount of the face value of the stamps necessary to be affixed to the insurance cards under the National Insurance Act, and the proportion to be borne by employer or employé whether a man or 987 woman who has contributed six months in England is entitled to sick benefits when in Ireland, and, if not, what becomes of the proportion of the face value of the stamps which is apportioned for sick benefits paid in England; whether, if cards are taken out in the first instance in Ireland, the amount payable will entitle the servants to sick benefits if they are taken ill in England; and whether he will issue a few circulars dealing with this complicated case for the information of those who are constantly changing occupation between the two countries?
§ Mr. MASTERMANContributions are payable at the English rate during employment in England (i.e., in normal cases 7d. a week for men and 6d. for women, of which 4d. and 3d., respectively, may be deducted from wages), and at the Irish rate during employment in Ireland (i.e., in normal cases 5½d. a week for men, and 4½d. for women, of which 3d. and 2d., respectively, may be deducted from wages). The distribution of these contributions between employer and contributor is as set forth in the Second Schedule to the Act. Insured persons in Ireland are not entitled to medical benefit. If an insured person resident in England goes to Ireland he pays a reduced rate of contribution, and ceases to be entitled to medical benefit while in Ireland. If an insured person resident in Ireland goes to England he pays a higher rate of contribution, and becomes entitled while in England to medical benefit or a money equivalent. The necessary financial adjustments will be made by the Insurance Commissioners, and instructions will be issued in due course to the various persons concerned.
EARL of KERRYDoes it apply equally whether the insured person is a member of an English or an Irish approved society, and does it apply equally irrespective of the proportion of the year during which he has been resident in either country?
§ Mr. MASTERMANWhile in Ireland he pays the Irish rate and gets the Irish benefit, and while in England he pays the English rate and gets the English benefit.
§ Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEWhat does the right hon. Gentleman mean to-day by medical benefit?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThat is not relevant to this question at all. It is defined in the Act. Medical benefit or a money equivalent is promised by the Act.