§ 32. Mr. MACLEANasked the Minister of Health the number of Post Office contributors there are to the National Health Insurance; whether there are any surplus funds; and whether any special benefits are being provided to the contributors?
§ Sir K. WOODThe number of deposit contributors in England, Scotland and Wales at the present time is about 271,000. The Deposit Contributors Fund is made up of the sums standing to the credit of the individual deposit contributors, and there are, therefore, no surplus moneys in the fund. The benefits to which a deposit contributor is entitled are the ordinary benefits under the National Health Insurance Acts so far as the balance to the credit of the contributor is sufficient to cover the cost of the provision of such benefits.
§ Mr. MACLEANMay we take it that there are no funds available to provide the Post Office contributors with the special benefits now being provided by many societies?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. The system is different. A certain number of people who belong to this class could secure these benefits if they would only join an approved society.
§ Mr. MACLEANThe point of my question is whether there is any difference in administration which puts the Post Office contributor in a worse position than those who are contributing to approved societies.
§ Sir K. WOODYes, Sir; a very considerable difference.
§ Mr. MACLEANWhy should that be?
§ Sir K. WOODBecause a large number of contributors will not take the trouble to join approved societies.