§ 66. Sir R. CLOUGHasked the Minister of Health if he can now make any statement as to the position with respect to health insurance this year of insured persons who through unemployment have been able to maintain their payments in connection with the national health insurance?
§ Sir A. MONDUnder the National Health Insurance (Prolongation of Insurance) Act, 1921, insured persons who have had prolonged periods of unemployment are kept in insurance until the 31st December, 1922, and by a special provision of the Arrears Regulations are entitled, until that date, to medical benefit, maternity benefit, and the minimum rates of sickness and disablement benefits. As regards their title to benefits during the year 1923 I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 15th instant to the hon. Member for the Westhoughton Division, a copy of which I am sending to him.
Lieut.-Colonel J. WARDWill the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration in making these concessions that a number of these societies which are now solvent will be insolvent in the course of a few years?
§ Sir A. MONDI assure my hon. and gallant Friend that any concessions made will be made after the most careful investigation and the solvency of none of these societies will be affected.