§ 3.5 p.m.
§ LORD LATHAMMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what were the average daily figures for absence through sickness in the year 1955–56 of—
- (a) employed men
- (b) employed men who claimed sickness benefit;
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (THE EARL OF DUNDEE)My Lords, I regret that the precise information requested is not available. The average number of insured persons (employed and self-employed) absent from work and claiming sickness benefit during the year 1955–56 was, for men, about 625,000; and, for women, about 300,000. In addition, some 50,000 employed men and rather fewer than 10,000 employed women were claiming injury benefit. No information is available about absence caused by sickness among persons not claiming either benefit. These figures include persons claiming sickness benefit for chronic illnesses who are no longer on employers' pay-rolls.
§ LORD LATHAMMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for the information he has given. I am a little disturbed to know that there is no fuller information available, as I gather is the case, especially as regards people who are away from employment owing to sickness but who are not getting sick pay or sick benefit.
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, I should have thought it would be difficult to get that information; but I will certainly inquire again and inform the noble Lord, if he wishes, of the reasons why it is not available and of any other figures that I can obtain.
§ LORD LATHAMMy Lords, I am sure the noble Earl appreciates that one cannot really appraise the serious loss to the community of persons who are away from employment through sickness, unless the information as regards those who are not claiming is also available.