§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the uncertainty on the part of civil employés of the War Department as to the mode of their health insurance under the National Insurance Act, he would state what were the equivalent benefits decided upon by the Army Council in the case of such employés, so that the latter might know before it was too late whether it was in their best interests to join approved societies, like other civilian employés, or to rest satisfied with such benefits as might be provided through the medium of the Army Council?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Insurance Commission are in communication with the War Office, but it is not possible to state at present which grades of public employés will be excepted under paragraph 6 of Part II. of the First Schedule of the Act, on the ground that the provision made for them in sickness and disablement is, on the whole, not less favourable than the corresponding benefits of the Act.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs it a fact that these civilian employés of the War Office will receive at least as good benefits under the Army Council as they would receive if they were ordinary civilian employés?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIf they do not receive as good benefits under the Army Council as under the Act they will not be exempted from the Act.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTWhat they wish to know is whether it is advisable for them to join approved societies outside the Army Council scheme?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThey cannot join approved societies except as voluntary members outside the Army Council scheme until this point has been decided. We are trying to get it decided as soon as possible.