§ 80. Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the total sum paid into and the total paid out of the Irish National Health Insurance Fund from its institution to 31st March, 1917; the balance then to the credit of that fund; whether the fund is still under the control of the Irish Insurance Commissioners as required by the Act; what amount of it has been temporarily applied to the housing of the working classes in Ireland; what other purpose is the remaining credit balance now serving; and under what statutory provision is it so applied?
§ Sir EDWIN CORNWALL (Comptroller of the Household)The total sum paid into and the total paid out of the Irish National Health Insurance Fund from 1621 15th July, 1912, to 31st March, 1917, were £4,426,686 and £2,978,310 respectively, and the balance to credit of the fund on the latter date was £1,448,376. The fund is under the control of the Irish Insurance Commissioners, subject to the powers of the National Debt Commissioners under Section 54 of the National Insurance Act, 1911, in which no alteration has taken place. I am making inquiries as to what advances have been made for the purposes of the Housing of the Working Classes Acts, and I will communicate with the hon. Member. As to the application of the remaining credit balance, I would refer the hon. Member to House of Commons Paper, No. 52, of 1917.