33. Captain FABERasked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers on receiving a commission, such as riding 453 masters' and quartermasters' commissions, will be permitted to continue as voluntary contributors under the National Insurance Act; if so, what will be the amount of the Government contribution; and, if not, what amount of the contributions they have paid will be refunded?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)Contributions cannot be refunded to soldiers who on promotion are not entitled, or do elect, to continue in insurance. The ordinary provisions of the Act as to voluntary contributors apply, however, to persons serving in His Majesty's Forces. It will, therefore, be open to any soldier who has been insured for five years to continue in insurance as a voluntary contributor on his promotion to commissioned rank, in spite of his income from all sources being then over £160 per annum. The Government contribution in these circumstances will be the usual contribution of two-ninths of the amount expended on benefits and administration of benefits.
Captain FABERAre we to understand that a man who is promoted can go on if he likes as a voluntary contributor?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIf he has been insured for five years.