§ 61. Mr. RENDALLasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether his attention has been called to the case of William James Mills, of Stanley Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol, a member of the Royal London Mutual Insurance Society, concerning whose illness, alleged to be caused by poisonous fish, a doctor's certificate was sent to the society on 6th June last; whether he is aware that this society declined to pay sick pay on the ground that the vendor should be sued by Mills for damages, and that not until 7th July, and after repeated applications by Mills and letters from the Commissioners, was sick pay paid; whether he is aware that Mills was practically starving owing to this four weeks' delay and had to dispose of part of his furniture in order to live; whether the doctor has stated that the illness has been greatly aggravated by the delay; and what steps the Commissioners are taking to prevent similar hardships being suffered through the neglect of certain approved societies?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury)As implied in the question the case referred to by the hon. Member had been brought before the Commissioners, and by them referred to the society concerned. The claim has now been paid. I am informed by the society that the reason for the postponement of the payment was that special investigation was required in this case, the circumstances of which appear to have been quite exceptional.