§ 85. Mr. HUNTasked whether, if a man is in employment at the age of sixty-five 605 he as well as his employer has to pay the ordinary amount under the National Insurance Act and yet gets no medical benefit?
§ Mr. MASTERMANA person who was insured before reaching the age of sixty-five pays the ordinary contributions and receives the ordinary benefits, including medical benefit. Persons who were sixty-five years of age at the commencement of the Act pay the same contributions, and receive such benefits as their societies may determine and can provide from their own and their employer's contributions, with the addition of the State 2d. a week. These benefits could, if the societies so decided, include medical attendance. In fact, societies have at present preferred to devote the money to providing sick pay.
§ Mr. HUNTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Commissioners have not issued any Regulations on this subject at present, and that these people, therefore, do not get any medical benefit?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThere is no question of any Regulations having to be issued on the subject. The societies can give what benefits they choose of the benefits under the Act.
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo; they get benefits equivalent to the 9d. a week which is subscribed in respect of them, and the choice of the benefits depends on their own society.
§ Mr. MASTERMANThey get sick pay given on a certain scale, a copy of which I shall be glad to forward to the hon. Gentleman.