MARQUESS Of TULLIBARDINEasked whether any part of the contribution payable by the workman, the employer, or the State under the National Insurance Act was available for the provision of sanatorium benefit for the wives and children of insured persons; and, if not, how was such treatment to be provided?
§ Mr. MASTERMANUnder Section 17 (1) insurance committees may extend sanatorium benefit to the dependents of insured persons. In such cases the cost of their treatment may be met from the general funds available for sanatorium benefit. These include the sums specified in Section 16 (2) (a), which are contributed jointly by employers, employés, and the State, the sums specified in Section 16 (2) (b), which are contributed by the State, and any further sums which may be provided under Section 17 in equal moieties by the State and local authorities.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIs it not a fact that the Government actuaries have stated that there is no fund available under the contributions for the extension of the sanatorium benefit to the wives and dependents of members?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, I do not think so; I am not aware of it.