§ 65. Mr. TAYLORasked the Minister of Health if he will make inquiries into the refusal of the Prudential approved society to pay sickness benefit to Ada Fiddy, No. 4,755,603; whether he is aware that late notification was entirely due to ignorance of the rules of this society and that no rule book had been supplied to the member; and if he will satisfy himself that this approved society takes proper steps to acquaint domestic servants and its members generally with the provision of their rules?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am aware of the circumstances of this case, which was brought to my notice in May, 1926. The approved society withheld payment of sickness benefit in accordance with Section 13 (4) of the National Health Insurance Act, 1924, which provides that benefit is only payable from the day following that on which notice of incapacity is given unless the member was not reasonably able to give notice earlier. Ignorance of this requirement cannot be accepted as sufficient excuse in itself for late notification. It is, I understand, the society's practice in accordance with its rules to inform each new member, on admission, that a copy of the rules can be obtained on payment of 2d.
§ Mr. TAYLORWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that these wealthy approved societies do not rob servant girls of their benefits by not taking proper precautions to make them acquainted with the provisions in their rules?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member had better put that question down on the Paper.
§ Mr. TAYLORrose——
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must not remain standing when I rise. I think he had better put his supplementary Question in a form in which I can see it.