HC Deb 03 August 1944 vol 402 cc1580-1
11. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the National Health Insurance Scheme is designed only to provide for the payment of benefit in respect of ordinary illnesses and does not at present entitle a discharged soldier to sickness benefit during the six months after the date of removal from duty, and there are numerous cases of pensions relating to partial disability which entail a measure of hardship, he will make the necessary amendments to afford provision to enable ex-Servicemen to receive the necessary benefits.

Mr. Willink

I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that under the war-time powers conferred by Section 8 of the National Health Insurance Act, 1941, regulations have just been made, which provide that as from 1st July, 1944, a person discharged from His Majesty's Forces with a pensionable disability will no longer be liable on that account to a complete loss of National Health Insurance sickness benefit for a period immediately following discharge.

Mr. De la Bère

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that I am very glad to be able to record that there is something satisfactory about his answer?