HC Deb 18 June 1931 vol 253 cc1934-5
35. Sir K. WOOD

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to issue any further regulations or take other steps to protect the funds of approved societies against improper claims?

Mr. GREENWOOD

No further regulations are at present in contemplation, but my Department will continue to keep a careful watch over the expenditure of approved societies on sickness and disablement benefit, and will take any steps that may seem from time to time to be desirable in order to maintain a high standard of efficiency in medical certification and in the supervision of claims by societies.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Before, the right hon. Gentleman issues any regulations or letters, will he take steps, besides ascertaining the views of the approved societies, to find out the views of the people who will be victimised by those regulations or letters?

Mr. GREENWOOD

I am not aware that any insured person is being victimised. A large number of approved societies are very representative of these poor persons.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his last letter is a direct incitement to an approved society to cut people off from benefit?

Mr. GREENWOOD

No, not in any legitimate case.

Mr. BUCHANAN

rose——

Mr. SPEAKER

We cannot have an argument at Question Time.

Mr. BUCHANAN

I do not wish to involve myself in an argument, but I wish to ask the Minister whether before issuing his letter he consulted any person besides the approved societies who had made the complaint.

Mr. GREENWOOD

I consulted all sorts of approved societies, including trade union approved societies, who are directly responsible for insured persons.

Dr. MORRIS-JONES

Will the right hon. Gentleman circulate a report of the committee giving instances which are alleged to exist?

Mr. GREENWOOD

I will consider that, but the substance of the conclusions are contained in a memorandum which has already been issued.

47. Mr. ALPASS

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that numbers of unemployed persons in Bristol have received information from their approved societies that unless the arrears of their National Health Insurance contributions are paid in full they will cease to be members of the societies for benefit purposes; and will he take steps to secure that insured persons shall not be deprived of benefits through unemployment?

Mr. GREENWOOD

I am not aware of the matter to which my hon. Friend refers, but if he will supply me with particulars of any case of which he has knowledge I will have it investigated and will inform him of the result. Under the National Health Insurance (Prolongation of Insurance) Act, 1930, an insured person can ordinarily avoid termination of insurance by reason of prolonged unemployment by proving within the time allowed for the purpose that he had in fact been available for but unable to obtain employment.

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