§ 40. Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Minister of Health whether, in connection with any forthcoming extension of 2127 voluntary contributions to National Health Insurance and in view of the large numbers of previous contributors who have been forced to leave insurable occupations, he will consider giving to them an opportunity to regain membership by payment of voluntary contributions, as was provided in the Act of 1925, for the provision of widows' and orphans' old age pension benefit to insured contributors?
Sir H. YOUNGNo extension of the scope of voluntary insurance under the National Health Insurance Acts is in prospect, and therefore the remainder of the question does not arise. The persons to whom the hon. Member refers have for the most part already had an opportunity of becoming voluntary contributors under existing legislation.
§ Mr. GRENFELLIn view of the passage of time since that date, is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the widespread sense of injustice that prevails and of the ground for that feeling, and will he not move it forward five or six years?
Sir H. YOUNGI do not quite follow the grievance to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but perhaps he will be good enough to communicate with me, and I will give it my most careful consideration.