HC Deb 05 June 1913 vol 53 cc1031-2
41. Mr. GOULDING

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the case of Walter V. Haywood, late of Cardiff, now resident at Worcester, who is a Post Office contributor and who, since the commencement of the National Insurance Act, has paid his contributions until he fell sick on Nth April, lasting to 10th May; whether he is aware that Haywood sent in his sick pay claim signed by the panel doctor to the local committee, and that he has since made three written applications to the Commissioners in London for redress, but that the only communication that he has received is an acknowledgment and another card for the fourth and present quarter; and whether he will make inquiry into the case and see that steps are at once taken to remit any sick pay allowance that is due?

Mr. MASTERMAN

A certificate authorising payment of sickness benefit to Walter Haywood was received by the English Commissioners from the Worcester Insurance Committee on the 13th ultimo, and payment was made on the 4th instant. The fact that the contributor's earlier address was in Wales led to the case being treated as proper to the Welsh Commissioners, and the benefit certificate was forwarded to them. When it was ascertained that he was permanently resident in England the certificate was returned to the English Commissioners, and payment was duly made by them.

Mr. GOULDING

Am I to understand that the cards had been sent to the Commissioners, and that this Post Office con- tributor had to wait all this time for sick-pay claim?

Mr. MASTERMAN

There is a certain amount of difficulty in cases where people have changed just before the time when they have the right to claim for sickness benefit.

Mr. GOULDING

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries, because the address was on the card. As he will see that it is a serious matter that a Post Office contributor, who is amongst the poorest of the people, should be out of his money all this long time for sick pay?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I will make more inquiries if the hon. Gentleman desires.