§ 1. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Minister of National Insurance whether she will consider remitting contributions from war pensioners of 50 per cent. war disability.
§ The Minister of National Insurance (Dr Edith Summerskill)This matter has been looked into very fully by the National Insurance Advisory Committee. They have advised that disablement pensioners, unless in receipt of unemployability supplements, should pay contributions in the ordinary way.
§ Lord Douglas-HamiltonWould not the right hon. Lady agree, in view of the fact that there was statutory provision for medical attention before the National Health Act was passed, and in view of the rising cost of living, to give some special consideration to these people now?
Dr. SununerskillIf the noble Lord makes further inquiry, I think he will find that there is no general demand among Classes 1 and 2 of these pensioners to be excluded. If that were done, they would lose their insurance benefits.