§ 104. Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked whether the friendly societies and trade unions who have been approved societies under the National Insurance Act have experienced a large increase in the cost of sickness benefit since the payment of the benefits commenced in January, 1913, as compared with the corresponding period of 1912; and, if so, to what cause this increase is to be attributed?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENNIf, as I presume, the Noble Lord refers to payments from the private funds of the societies in respect of both periods, I have no general information showing such an increase as he suggests in the first part of the question. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.
§ 105. Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that during the months January to June, 1913, there has been a growth in the number of sick claims amounting among engineers to 3,857, and among boilermakers to 4,572; and, if so, whether he will now consider the appointment of medical referees?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENNAs sickness benefit under the Act only commenced last January, I presume the Noble Lord is referring in the first part at his question to claims upon the private funds of societies and not upon funds provided under the National Insurance Act. With regard to the latter part of the question, I would refer him to the answers my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Salisbury on the 12th and 16th June, and to the statements he made in Debate on the 15th July.