§ 61. Mr. NEWBOULDasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that a member who entered insurance on or before 1st July, 1918, is required to make 80 contributions between that date and the 4th July, 1920, before he becomes entitled to benefit under the Act, and whereas the maximum number of contributions possible is 79, he proposes to amend the Prolongation of Insurance Act in order to provide that an insured person who has paid the maximum number of contributions possible between the said dates shall become entitled to benefit?
§ Sir A. MONDThe maximum number of contributions possible in respect of the period between 1st July, 1918, and 4th July, 1920, was 105, and not 79 as stated by the hon. Member. It is true that the maximum number would be less in the case of a person who ceased employment before the 4th July, 1920, but it is only in the extreme case of a person whose insurance would have ceased during the first week of the operation of the Prolongation of Insurance Act that the requirement of the payment of 80 contributions could not have been satisfied. No such case has yet been brought to my notice, but if the hon. Member can send me particulars of such a case, I shall be pleased to consider whether any action is possible.