§ Mr. BUTCHERasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, prior to the passing of the National Insurance Act, the 591W employés in the Government factory near Selby, Yorkshire, with three years' service, were when sick granted 10s. 9d. per week (being half-pay) during the first twenty-six weeks of their sickness without any deduction being made from their wages; whether, whilst 4d. is now deducted under the National Insurance Act each week from their wages, they only receive the same payment when sick as formerly; and whether the effect of this is to save the Government 10s. per week at the expense of the sick workman?
§ Mr. H. BAKERBefore the Act came into force the employés now in question were allowed, when sick, leave with half-pay up to three months. They continue eligible to receive this scale of sick pay so long as their service is continuous since 15th July, 1912, but it is subject to the deduction of the sickness benefit of 10s. a week to which they are entitled under the National Insurance Act. These men have, in fact, received an advance of wages of 6d. a week to compensate them for the withdrawal of sick pay, and I cannot therefore regard this arrangement as effecting a saving to the public of 10s. a week at the expense of the sick workman.