§ 39. Sir B. FALLEasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that men of the Royal Navy serving for pension were given the option of remaining outside the National Insurance Act, and that many who did so now realise that it would be beneficial for them to come under the Act and wish to cancel their previous decisions and be allowed to pay and serve their probationary periods while in the Service on the ground that their decisions were taken without sufficient insurance explanation and advice being given them; and whether he will inquire into the matter?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is true, as stated by my hon. and gallant Friend, that seamen and marines who have completed the period of their first engagements and re-engaged for pension are given the option of remaining outside the provisions of the National Health Insurance Act, 1911. This option is reserved to them under Section 46, Sub-section (1), of the Act. Every endeavour was made at the time of the Act coming into force, both by the issue of a pamphlet to all ratings and by notices posted on the lower deck, to bring to the notice of all concerned the advantages of immediate insurance as well as the disadvantages, on subsequent reversion to civil life, of refusing to contribute. I confess I do not quite see how my hon. and gallant Friend's proposals can be applied. But I will put the point to the National Health Insurance Commissioners.