§ 27. Mr. P. MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, if he is aware that the Catholic Benefit Society of Ossory, in view of the high increase in the cost of living particularly affecting the insured classes, have urged on the Irish Insurance Commissioners the immediate desirability of legislation authorising approved societies to pay out of invested funds sickness benefits of 15s. per week to males, 10s. per week to females, and 50s. maternity benefit; and whether it is intended to introduce legislation on the subject?
§ Sir E. CORNWALL (Comptroller of the Household)I am aware that the society in question has urged that the rates of benefits under the National Insurance Acts should be increased in view of the increased cost of living, but as I stated in my reply of 30th October to the hon. Member for Leith Burghs, any such general increase would involve a corresponding increase in the contributions, either of the employers or of the employed or of both, and I have no reason to believe that there is any general desire for legislation which would have any of those effects.