62. Mr. F. HALL (Dulwich)asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the consideration raised by the recently published Annual Report of the National Health Insurance Commissioners as regards the financial position of the approved societies, the position of deposit contributors, the excessive claims of women, and the bearing of the question of unemployment upon the operation of health insurance generally, he will consider as to the appointment of a special committee to inquire into the working of the Act as a whole, with a view to formulating comprehensive proposals for its amendment in the light of 1481 the experience now available; and if, in the meantime, he will postpone any proposal for amendment or limit such proposals to matters of detail which will not admit of delay?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)A special committee appointed last autumn has been examining the whole question of sickness claims under the Insurance Act, and will, I am informed, report shortly. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has already announced that the Government propose to deal with these questions by such means as experience has proved desirable.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI cannot say without notice.