HC Deb 06 August 1918 vol 109 c1124
73. Mr. SOMERVELL

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, what steps, if any, have been taken to inform the general body of persons insured under the National Insurance Act of the recent regulation which requires notification of sickness within three days of its commencement; and if, in view of the general ignorance of this rule, some further method of information will be adopted?

Colonel GIBBS

The provisions of the new Act have been notified to the Press and to approved societies, but it has not been practicable to send individual notices to each one of the 14,000,000 insured persons. Since the commencement of the principal Act, the rules of all approved societies have required prompt notification of sickness to be given, breach of rules being punishable by fines at the discretion of the society; the new provision merely attaches a definite penalty to any unreasonable breach of this rule.

Mr. SOMERVELL

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a great many insured persons are suffering loss continually through this provision? There is a very inadequate knowledge of it.

Colonel GIBBS

I am not aware of that. Perhaps my hon. Friend will put down a question.

Mr. E. HARVEY

Could notices of this be given in the post offices?

Colonel GIBBS

I will make that suggestion.