36. Major the Marquess of TITCH-FIELDasked the Minister of Health whether he has read the report by Sir Walter Kinnear, the Controller of the National Health Insurance Department, which states that a recent investigation showed that 12 persons out of 100 were drawing sickness benefit when they were capable of returning to work; and whether he proposes to take any steps to rectify this state of affairs?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am aware of the statement referred to, which was to the effect that out of a large and representative group of insured persons who were in receipt of sickness or disablement benefit on a certain day, and whose title to benefit was made the subject of special investigation, it was found that 12 per cent. were capable of work, and consequently not entitled to benefit. I have already addressed circulars to all approved societies and to all insurance medical practitioners on the steps to be taken to avoid payment of benefit to persons not entitled thereto, and I would also refer the Noble Lord to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood) on 18th June.