§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read
THE PARLIAMEN'I'ARY SECRETARY OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH (THE EARL OF ONSLOW)My Lords, this is a short measure agreed to by the Approved Societies. The object is to bring back into insurance temporarily thosebona fidemembers of societies who have dropped out of employment during 1920 and 1921. Those persons will have enjoyed what is called the "free year to which they are entitled to benefits while paving no contributions, but now, in a large number of cases, that "free year" has come to an end and they have dropped out altogether. There is a clause in the Bill which provides that onlybona fidepersons should enjoy these privileges who have paid the minimum contributions during 1918–19. The rates of benefit which will be received under this Bill will be fixed by Regulations It is proposed to give these people maternity benefit to June, 1923, and full additional benefits and sickness benefit of 8s6dper woman and 7s6d per woman. The cost falls upon the Approved Societies and no additional cost to the Exchequer is involved, except the normal statutory contribution of two-ninths.
§ VISCOUNT HALDANECan the noble Earl tell us, in supplement of what he has said, what is the net additional liability of the State?
THE EARL or ONSLOWThe State always contributes two-ninths of the cost, 190 and as a matter of fact there is no actual increase in the proportion which the State will he called upon to make.
§ Moved. That the Bill he now read 2a— (The Earl of Onslow)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.