§ 44. Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether one of the consequences of a threatened deficiency of approved societies under the National Insurance Act is the refusal of benefits by some societies to women who are certified as incapable of work owing to pregnancy; and, if so, what steps the Commissioners and the Government are taking in the matter?
Mr. BENNSocieties are responsible for determining, in the first instance, whether an insured person claiming sickness benefit satisfies the conditions of Section 8 (1) (c) of the Act of 1911 of being rendered incapable of work by specific disease or disablement. The Commissioners have no reason to think that societies are refusing 1122 benefit in cases where they consider that this condition is satisfied.
§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONIs the hon. Member aware that one of the medical referees has reported to the London Insurance Committee that this is being done?
Mr. BENNNo, Sir. I shall be glad if the hon. Gentleman will give me the statement made by the medical referee.