§ 42. Mr. ROBERT HARCOURTasked whether in certain lodges of friendly societies a large proportion of existing members are paying the State health insurance contribution in addition to their existing contributions to the society, thus voluntarily paying at least 10d. a week in order to secure, inter alia, sickness benefit of 22s. a week; whether this practice is general; and whether any figures can be given?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI understand that very many members are choosing to continue their previous voluntary contributions in addition to their contributions under the Act. I am unable, however, at present to give any exact statistics showing the extent of such voluntary insurance outside the Act.