HC Deb 21 November 1917 vol 99 cc1174-7
48. Mr. PETO

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the opposition among solvent approved societies to the establishment of the special risks fund as proposed in the National Health Insurance Amendment Bill; if so, whether it is the intention of the Government, having regard to the demands on Parliamentary time, to proceed further with such legislation; and whether he has received any assurances that, apart from this provision of the new Bill, the measure is generally acceptable and unlikely to meet with serious opposition?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am informed that such objections as have been raised by certain societies to the National Health Insurance Bill since the First Reading have arisen mainly from a misapprehension of the actual effects of its provisions in certain respects; these will, it is hoped, be cleared up or otherwise removed during the discussion on the Second Reading on Friday next, and I therefore hope that the Bill may not prove controversial.

Mr. PETO

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the Second Reading is not taken so early as Friday next, in view of the fact that the White Paper explaining this measure of forty-five Clauses, and which occupies ten pages of closely printed matter, was only issued on Monday, and that to-morrow there is a meeting of objecting societies which might possibly result in some kind of compromise on the financial parts of the Bill?

Sir J. LONSDALE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Bill has the support of approved societies, who desire to see the measure speedily placed upon the Statute Book?

Mr. HOGGE

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this amending Act will facilitate the payment of insurance benefits to nearly half a million disabled soldiers and sailors, who otherwise would be much longer kept out of what they are entitled to?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The number of supplementary questions makes me rather afraid that I may not be right in thinking that the matter will not be controversial. I agree with my hon. Friend that it would be well to have as long a time as possible, but in view of the necessity of getting on with the business, and as the printed explanation was issued on Monday, it is our intention to take it on Friday. If anything should result from the conference on Thursday, we might possibly have to make other arrangements.

76. Mr. WING

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, if he is aware that the introduction of the National Health Insurance Bill constitutes a breach of contract and disregard of definite Parliamentary pledges made to its present contributors during the passage of the National Insurance Act; and, if so, will he say. what action he proposes to take in connection therewith?

Sir EDWIN CORNWALL (Comptroller of the Household)

My hon. Friend is, I am sure, misinformed as to the scope and intentions of the National Health Insurance Bill. He will, perhaps, allow me to draw his attention to the explanatory memorandum which has been circulated I shall, of course, be happy to deal, in the Second Reading or Committee stage of the Bill, with any specific points which my hon. Friend may desire to bring to the notice of the House.

77. Mr. WING

asked the Comptroller of the Household if he proposes to take a valuation of all approved societies under the National Insurance Act before seeking to pass the National Health Insurance Bill, in order that Parliament may have a line standard of comparison as to he working of various types of such organisations entrusted by the Government with the administration of the National Insurance Acts?

Sir E. CORNWALL

It is not proposed to take a valuation of approved societies before the passing of the National Health Insurance Bill, and I should not be justified in adding to the burdens of the depleted staffs of approved societies by requiring them to prepare for a valuation at the present time.

Mr. WING

May I take it, in connection with the reply of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that these societies will really have very sympathetic attention from the hon. Gentleman durng the consideration of the Bill?

Sir E. CORNWALL

It is my intention to give full and sympathetic consideration to such representations.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is it not the fact that the hon. Gentleman's Department is employing several conscientious objectors at high salaries?