§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
VISCOUNT GAGEMy Lords, this is a Bill which prolongs for a further period of one year a procedure of which your Lordships approved last year, I think after very little discussion. It is drafted in almost identical terms with last year's Bill, and has already passed through all its stages in another place, without opposition. In these circumstances I do not suppose you would wish me to add very much to the explanation which is already contained in the Memorandum attached to the Bill. Very briefly, I might explain that there exists to-day a small class of individuals who have been at one time insured and who by reason of prolonged unemployment would normally lose all rights of medical and cash benefits under the National Health Insurance Act; and a more serious consideration is that they would also lose certain pension rights. What this somewhat formidably drafted Bill does is to maintain this class in insurance for a further period of one year.
The Minister believes it is advisable to follow this procedure until the Commission, on Unemployment Insurance has issued its Report, when it will be possible to make a complete review of the whole situation. Owing to the fact that there are only a limited number of people affected—I think between 60,000 and 70,000—the total cost to the State is not expected to exceed £110,000, but they are, of course, a class who by reason of this prolonged unemployment are likely to stand in need of these medical benefits. The Act of last year normally expires at the end of this month, unless it is renewed as is proposed by this Bill. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Viscount Gage.)
§ LORD BANBURY OF SOUTHAMMay I ask whether this is a Money Bill?
§ LORD BANBURY OF SOUTHAMThen it is of no use saying anything about it. Does this deal with national health insurance or unemployment insurance, or both?
§ LORD BANBURY OF SOUTHAMBut still it is going to cost £110,000?
VISCOUNT GAGEMay I explain? This class of unemployed person, in the absence of any provision of this kind, would have to go to the boards of guardians for medical relief. It adds 282 nothing to the public expenditure of the country, but it is thought better to keep this class of person within the insurance scheme rather than send them to the guardians.
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.
§ House adjourned at twenty minutes before six o'clock.