HC Deb 15 June 1959 vol 607 cc14-5
26. Mr. Prentice

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will take steps to amend the regulations relating to home confinement grants so as to make wider provision for mothers whose confinement takes place in hospital but who are discharged to their homes while still needing nursing care and attention.

The Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)

I appreciate that occasional cases of difficulty can arise in such circumstances as I understand the hon. Gentleman has in mind. As he will be aware, the matter was considered by the National Insurance Advisory Committee some years ago, but I should like to consider whether any further provision under the National Insurance Scheme may be practicable.

Mr. Prentice

I thank the Minister for that reply, but will he have particular regard to a recent decision by the National Insurance Commissioner, R(G) 1/59, which deals with the case of a woman discharged home unexpectedly because of an outbreak of infection in the hospital? Does not that decision show that there can be a case where a woman can be discharged quickly from hospital and will be in need of continued attention at home but it does not come within the Regulations as at present drafted?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I am aware of the case about which the hon. Gentleman is concerned, and it was with that in mind that I drafted the earlier words of my Answer.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has now grown up a considerable body of National Insurance Commissioner's decisions which may, quite legitimately, now defeat some of the intentions of the Act? Is he making available to his Advisory Committee periodically full reports of the Commissioner's decisions and their implications so that the Advisory Committee may consider their implications on the whole service?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

In general, the Advisory Committee is aware of the effects of the Commissioner's decisions, but before answering that question fully and categorically I should like notice of it.