§ 38. Sir H. Morris-Jonesasked the Minister of Health to what extent there has been an increase in sickness ratio and mortality amongst women during the past year; and how much of this is related to domestic housewives.
§ Mr. WillinkThe sickness benefit claims of approved societies showed a material increase in 1942 and a further rise in 1943, as compared with the pre-war average, short-term sickness among insured persons, both men and women; I regret, however, that it is not possible to state the precise extent of the increase. There is no statistical information available regarding sickness among domestic housewives. Detailed information as regards mortality rates is not yet available, but a provisional count indicates that the death rate in 1943 was slightly higher, at 11.1 per thousand population, than the figure of 10.5 recorded for 1942.
§ Sir H. Morris-JonesWill my right hon. and learned Friend make further inquiries in his Department on this particular matter?
§ Mr. WillinkI doubt whether a particular inquiry for statistical information about domestic housewives is practicable.