§ 19. Mr. Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the heavy drain of permanent disablement benefit cases upon their funds prevent many approved societies from being in a position to provide supplementary benefits to their other members; and whether he will consider the advisability of providing for disablement cases from some central fund after disablement has continued for some fixed number of years?
§ Mr. ColvilleI am aware that claims for disablement benefit have tended to increase in recent years. A comprehensive investigation into the causes of the increase is at present being carried out by the National Health Insurance Joint Committee, and pending the completion of that investigation it would be premature for me to consider the adoption of the suggestion made by the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. LoganIn view of the valuable suggestion contained in the question, is it not possible for a centralised fund to be established and then for these cases to be centralised? Has that been considered?
§ Mr. ColvilleI think I had better wait for the report of the investigation.
§ Mr. JohnstonHow long will that be?
§ Mr. ColvilleI cannot say.
§ Mr. BuchananI take it that any investigation will not in any way interfere with the payment of disablement benefit?
§ Mr. ColvilleNo, Sir.