HC Deb 14 March 1929 vol 226 cc1276-8
24. Mr. KELLY (for Mr. COMPTON)

asked the Minister of Health whether there are any regulations under the National Health Insurance system whereby an insurance company with an approved society branch has authority to deduct the premiums due on the insurance policy from any benefits that may be payable?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

No, Sir. Any such compulsory deduction from the benefit due to an insured person under the National Health Insurance Act would be contrary to an express provision of the Act.

Mr. KELLY

If cases are brought to the right hon. Gentleman's notice, will he take action upon them?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The next question on the Paper deals with that point.

25. Mr. KELLY (for Mr. COMPTON)

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that industrial policy holders with the London and Manchester Assurance Company, Limited, who are also members of the National Amalgamated Approved Society are having the premiums for their insurance policies deducted from sick benefit without their consent; and whether any action is being taken by his Department?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

My attention has been drawn to a single case in which a deduction of the nature referred to had been made. I have had the matter investigated, and I find that the action was taken by an inexperienced representative of the company through ignorance of the instructions of the company on the subject. I am satisfied that the responsible authorities of the approved society and its associated companies will do everything in their power to see that there shall be no future cases of the kind.

26. Mr. DAVID GRENFELL

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the figures showing the number of weeks for which health insurance benefit has been paid from 1921 to the last available yearly record?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

Exact particulars are not available as to the number of weeks for which sickness benefit is paid under the National Health Insurance Act, and the following figures for England and Wales from 1921 to the latest year available, estimated from the amount paid each year for sickness and disablement benefits, can only be regarded as rough approximations.

Million weeks.
Year 1921 19
Year 1922 19½
Year 1923 20½
Year 1924 23¼
Year 1925 25
Year 1926 28¼
Year 1927 30½