HC Deb 25 February 1935 vol 298 cc761-2
22 and 23. Mr. MAINWARING

asked the Minister of Health (1) how many persons throughout the country under the Health Insurance Acts are placed in the category 3 (5a), and the same information separately as it affects the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth;

(2) what percentage of the total unemployed men and women in category 3 (5a) under the Health Insurance Acts have maintained their contributions and thus retain cash benefits?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

The number of persons in Great Britain who come within the special provisions of Section 3 (5a) of the National Health Insurance Act, 1924, as amended by the Act of 1932, is estimated at 170,000, but my right hon. Friend is not able to give separate figures for particular areas. These persons are not entitled to cash benefits but can regain title to such benefits on favourable terms by return to employment, or by becoming voluntary contributors. Every week many persons who have fallen under the special provisions of Section 3 (5a) return to the ordinary provisions of the Act, but no exact figures of the number of such persons are available.

24. Mr. MAINWARING

asked the Minister of Health what is the estimated total number of persons that will have lost all insurable rights, including pension, on account of unemployment from 1933 to the end of 1935?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

During the period specified in the question the only persons who can lose all insurance rights including pension by reason of unemployment are persons who before they became unemployed had been insured for less than four years, or had paid fewer than 160 contributions. Statistics are not available as to the proportion of persons lapsing after less than four years of insurance whose lapse was due to unemployment.

Mr. MAINWARING

Is the Department now prepared to consider taking some steps to secure that these people shall continue within their insurable terms?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

The bulk of the people leave insurance voluntarily.

Mr. MAINWARING

That is due to unemployment. How can the Parliamentary Secretary suggest that these people leave voluntarily, since the cause of their failure to continue insurance is the fact that they have no employment?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

I was referring to the people with less than four years' insurability. The great bulk of people unemployed have more than four years insurance and their pensions are secure until the end of 1935.