33. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked what arrangements have been made for accepting proof of payment of contributions where a contribution card has been lost; and whether, in the case of William Bishop, No. 123814, boiler-maker, of Ipswich, a member of the Hearts of Oak Approved Society, whose first quarter's contribution card has been lost and who is refused benefit on the ground that the society is awaiting the decision of the National Health Insurance Commissioners an immediate decision can be come to by accepting the assurance of his employers, Messrs. Ransomes, Sims, and Jefferies, that the contribution card for the first quarter was fully paid, seeing that the Commissioners have had the matter before them for more than a month?
Mr. ROBERTSONI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gorton on the 3rd of this month. Each case of a lost card must be considered on its merits, and there is no trace in the office of the Insurance Commission of the receipt of any communication with regard to the contributor mentioned in the question.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSAssuming the facts of the question, will the hon. Gentleman accept the statement of both the man and his employers that he has paid the whole of the quarter's contribution?
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSWill the hon. Gentleman have some inquiries made as to whether the statement is well founded?
Mr. ROBERTSONEvery inquiry has been made, and no trace has been found of any communication on this case.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDIs this always decided by the Commissioners or is it a matter to be left to the approved societies to decide what they will do?