§ 16. Mr. Lawsonasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state the percentage of the payments from National Insurance made in respect of unemployment benefit and sickness benefit, respectively.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIn 1960–61, 3.2 per cent. of the expenditure of the National Insurance Fund was in respect of unemployment benefit and 14.5 per cent. in respect of sickness benefit.
§ Mr. LawsonIn view of the very small proportion in these two categories, would the Minister not consider providing for them a genuine insurance scheme—separating them from the very large number of old-age pensioners? Will he bear in mind, for example, that when a man falls sick he may have no other income apart from the £2 17s. 6d. paid to him and that this may cause severe hardship? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider viewing these people separately to see what might be done for them?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThat would be a very retrograde step from the point of view of the State scheme. The hon. Gentleman will no doubt be aware of the large development that has taken place in employers' sick pay schemes.