HC Deb 20 May 1957 vol 570 cc925-6

Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.

Miss Herbison

Subsection (2) of Clause 4 deals with how the money is to be distributed to the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland and I wish to know what is in the Minister's mind about that. It is really a question which should go to the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance rather than to the Minister of Health. How is this division to take place? What will be the division between England and Wales, on the one hand, and Scotland, on the other?

Since we are having this separate contribution for the Health Service, it is of the greatest importance that we should know in what proportion the division is to be made. Will all the contributions from Scottish contributors ultimately find their way to the Secretary of State for Scotland to help to finance the Health Service in Scotland. and will all contributions from English and Welsh contributors go to England and Wales? Are we to depart from what is the normal division in these matters, when the money goes to that part of the United Kingdom where there is more illness and disease? This is an important matter, and my question should be answered before we part with the Clause.

Mr. Vosper

I shall be very pleased to answer that question. The basis of apportionment between England and Wales, on the one hand, and Scotland, on the other, will be according to the distribution of the insured population between them. It will be undertaken by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance in consultation with. my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The procedure will, in fact, be exactly the same as now appertains to the distribution of the Health Service element in the National Insurance contribution. The existing arrangement will be continued under the Bill.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.