§ 97. Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Secretary to the Local Government Board, as representing the National Health Commissioners, if he is aware that, owing to the National Health Insurance Acts imposing a rate of remuneration limit of £160 per annum, a considerable number of non-manual workers whose wages, with war bonuses, now exceed that limit, will cease to be insured after 1st July next, and will thereafter have to pay for medical attendance, etc. as private patients; whether he has received representations that these workers object to being thrown out of insurance after paying contributions for so many years; and whether the Government propose to bring in a short Bill to enlarge 334 the limit, which, though appropriate when the Act was passed in 1911, is inappropriate now?
§ Major ASTORUnder present conditions, it is the case that many non-manual workers whose remuneration inclusive of war bonus has exceeded the rate of £160 a year, and for whom their employers have ceased on that account to pay contributions, will go out of insurance at the end of the current contribution year (30th June), and will cease to be entitled to medical benefit in December next. Representations on behalf of the persons concerned have been received from various quarters, and the whole matter is now under consideration. I hope shortly to be in a position to make a statement on the subject.