HC Deb 01 May 1951 vol 487 cc1003-4
59. Mr. Perkins

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why civil servants are not allowed to receive sickness benefits under the National Health Scheme in addition to their full pay on the grounds that it would be anomalous if they were to receive more money for being sick than for being at work, when Members of Parliament, who are also paid from public funds, are allowed to receive sickness benefit in addition to their full salary.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Gaitskell)

The question whether the sick pay of a person in receipt of National Insurance benefit should be adjusted has to be decided by the employer. The decision for the Civil Service, which was reached with the full agreement of the Staff Side of the National Whitley Council, was that an adjustment should be made.

Members of Parliament are insurable as self-employed persons and have no employer in the ordinary sense. No useful comparisons can be drawn between them and civil servants in this matter.

Mr. Perkins

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it rather undesirable that hon. Members of this House should get sickness benefit in addition to their full salaries?

Mr. Gaitskell

I do not think it is for me to answer that question in any case.