§ 26. Mr. WELLOCKasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the inadequacy of the additional benefits granted to disabled ex-service men members of the Navy, Army and Air Force Insurance Fund, which is due to the transference from this fund of £1,100,000 2247 to the Exchequer, he will arrange that members of the Navy, Army and Air Force Insurance Funds, ex-service, when needing treatment or additional benefits, apart from any treatment in respect of disabilities due to service, shall receive the same through insurance committees?
§ 24. Mr. SHORTasked the Minister of Health the number of ex-service men who are members of the Navy,, Army and Air Force Insurance Fund and are unable to get into ordinary approved societies; what additional benefits are given to these members; and whether they are less than those granted to men in other approved societies?
§ 25. Mr. DENN1SONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the transference of the sum of £1,100,000 from the funds of the Navy, Army and Air Force Insurance Fund under the Economy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1926, to the Exchequer has impaired the stability of the fund and prevented the disabled ex-service men who are members of the fund from receiving additional benefits equivalent to those paid by the ordinary approved societies to their members; and whether he will take steps to make the payment of such additional benefits to ex-service men possible?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe number of men discharged from the Forces who are members of the Navy, Army and Air Force Insurance Fund was 20,620 on the 1st December, 1926. The transference under the Economy Act of part of the surplus of the fund to the Exchequer has not had the effect suggested. Under the provisions of that Act the fund is actually providing these members with additional benefits fully equivalent to the average of those provided by approved societies, namely, an increase of 3s. a week in sickness benefit, 1s. 6d. a week in disablement benefit, and 6s. in maternity benefit, together with dental benefit and ophthalmic benefit. No complaints about the administration of these benefits have reached me, and I see no reason, therefore, for any change in the channel through which they are conveyed.