§ 44. Mr. Wainwrightasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how much sickness benefit was paid out in 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1962, respectively.
§ The Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. Niall Macpherson)About £135 million, £130 million, £149 million and £156 million respectively. The figure for 1962 is provisional.
§ Mr. WainwrightIs not this a large sum of money to be paying out for sickness? Is the Minister satisfied that we are spending sufficient money on the prevention of sickness rather than paying out for sickness, and will he have consultations with his right hon. Friends to ensure that money is spent on research to ensure that the number of persons off work through sickness can be reduced?
§ Mr. MacphersonThat matter is rather outside my field. I note what the hon. Gentleman says about consultation with my right hon. Friends. We can, of course, help by obtaining detailed information about the incidence of incapacity for work, and this we are doing.
§ Sir J. DuncanDoes my right hon. Friend's original Answer mean that there is more sickness or that the rates of sickness benefit have gone up in those years?
§ Mr. MacphersonI was asked about the years 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1962. The rates of benefit went up in 1961, and, of course, this is reflected in the figures.