§ 12. Sir C. BARRIEasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that, under the National Health Insurance Act, should a person become incapacitated but nevertheless be able to do light work he is unable to draw any weekly allowance on account of performing light duties, and that this has been applied to people who are incapacitated by blindness; and will he introduce legislation to remove this disability in such cases?
Mr. GREENWOODAn insured person who has, through blindness or any other cause, been rendered permanently incapable of following what was formerly his normal occupation is not entitled to continue to receive sickness or disablement benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts after he has become capable of 2382 following some other remunerative occupation which is reasonably open to him, either at once or as the result of a course of training. My right hon. Friend does not think it desirable to introduce legislation to enable benefit to be paid to persons who are undertaking remunerative work.
§ Sir C. BARRIEDoes the hon. Gentleman not think a distinction might be made in the cases of blind persons?
Mr. GREENWOODThe point of the answer, is I think, that it could not well be made under the National Health Insurance Act.