38. Major-General Sir IVOR HERBERTasked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether he can state the grounds on which claims are made under the National Insurance Act for contributions in respect of health insurance from Belgian refugees temporarily engaged as agricultural labourers and from their employers, seeing that they are not permanently domiciled in this country, that no provision exists for free medical attendance on them in case of illness or accident, and that on return to their own country all possible benefit of such contributions will be lost to them?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTS (Comptroller of the Household)May I refer the hon. Member to a statement made on this subject in the course of my speech on the 12th July. The persons referred to are required to be insured in accordance with the terms of the Statute, which I have no power to vary. Attention has been drawn to the fact that they can in many cases obtain a certificate of exemption, and if they do so they are not themselves liable to pay any contributions, though their employers' contributions remain payable. Whether exempt or not, they are entitled to medical and sanatorium benefit under the appropriate conditions. If they are deposit contributors, four-sevenths of the amount standing to their credit may be returned when they permanently cease to reside in the United Kingdom.
Major-General Sir IVOR HERBERTAm I to understand the Memorandum has been issued because and in consequence of the obligation upon the employers being a statutory one?
§ Mr. ROBERTSIt is a statutory obligation upon the employers.