HC Deb 29 May 1930 vol 239 cc1474-6
54. Sir K. WOOD

asked the Minister of Health the amount of additional sickness, disablement and maternity benefits that have been paid, respectively, during the last six months above the normal rate to members of the Navy, Army and Air Force Insurance Fund who have continued their membership after discharge from His Majesty's Forces; also the value of the payments made for such period in respect of dental treatment, the provision of artificial teeth, ophthalmic treatment, the provision of spectacles, and the provision of medical and surgical appliances?

Miss LAWRENCE

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

Sir K. WOOD

Can the Parliamentary Secretary, with a view to cheering us up a little, give us the first figures at any rate?

Miss LAWRENCE

There are a great many figures, and I asked for the usual permission to circulate them.

Sir K. WOOD

Does not the hon. Lady think that it is rather important to know what are the increased benefits of this fund, having regard to all the statements that her friends have made on this point?

Mr. CHURCHILL

On a point of Order. The circulation of the whole or any part of an answer to an oral question with the votes is dependent upon the permission of the House, and, if that permission is not forthcoming, can we not ask the hon. Member to read us the figures?

Miss LAWRENCE

If the House desires it—

HON. MEMBERS

"No," and "Yes."

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Further to the point of Order of the right hon. Member for Epping (Mr. Churchill), do I understand that if any Member has a question on the Order Paper calling for a long tabular statement of figures, and the hon. Member insists upon those figures being given at Question Time, he can demand that those figures be given?

Sir K. WOOD

I shall be content if the first figures are given. It will only take one minute and can easily be disposed of.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is it not your duty, Mr. Speaker, to collect the sense of the House—the "Ayes" and the "Noes." I think you will agree that the "Noes" have it?

Mr. SPEAKER

This is not the time to take Divisions. The usual preface to an answer of a, question of that kind is to ask the hon. Member's permission to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Sir K. WOOD

I should like the first figure.

Miss LAWRENCE

I think that that would be misleading. It would disappoint perhaps other hon. Members, but, if the right hon. Member asks for it, I shall have great pleasure in reading the whole of the answer.

The amounts of additional cash benefits paid to re-admitted members of the Navy, Army and Air Force Insurance Fund during the six months ended 31st March, 1930 (the last date up to which accounts have been made up) were as follow:

£ s. d.
Sickness benefit 2,562 10 4
Disablement benefit 4,359 0 10
Maternity benefit 225 0 0

The amounts paid for additional treatment benefits during the same period were:

£ s. d.
Dental benefit (including dentures) 6,018 0 6
Ophthalmic benefit (including spectacles) 471 11 9
Medical and surgical appliances 162 17 2

Sir K. WOOD

rose—

Mr. SPEAKER

Mr. Mander.

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