HC Deb 27 June 1940 vol 362 cc597-8
50. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the anomaly which has arisen under the National Health Insurance scheme of non-manual insured persons whose income fluctuates round the rate of £250 per annum who are compulsarily insured until they receive a war bonus, which may continue for only a short period, or their income exceeds that rate through working overtime, consequent upon the national emergency; and will he state what conclusion he has reached?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsbrugh)

Where the wages or salary of an insured person are increased to more than £250 a year by some regular payment, such as war bonus, he enters at once upon a free insurance period, and it is not until his remuneration has remained above that figure for a period of at least 18 months that he would cease to be insured. At any time during that period he could elect, if he were qualified, and so desired, to safeguard his position in insurance by becoming a voluntary contributor. Where, on the other hand, the increase in his remuneration is due to payments of a fluctuating character, such as overtime, no account is taken of such payments in determining his rate of remuneration for the purposes of the National Health Insurance scheme, and his position in insurance is not affected unless and until such payments have become a regular feature of his employment.

Mr. Davies

Will the hon. Lady call the attention of the Minister of Health to the fact that the Minister of Labour is introducing a Bill to raise the limit to £420? If that were done under the National Health Insurance scheme, would not this anomaly be removed, too?

Miss Horsbrugh

That is another question. I think the hon. Member had better put it down.

51. Mr. Davies

asked the Minister of Health what reply he has made to the representations from approved societies for an increase in administration allowance, in view of the increased cost of printing, stationery and postage?

Miss Horsbrugh

The matter to which the hon. Member refers is under consideration, but my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make any statement.