HC Deb 18 February 1914 vol 58 cc958-9W
Sir RICHARD COOPER

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if about £6,000 has already been charged to deposit contributors in respect of the year 1915; and, if so, under what statutory provision this has been done in view of the fact that the National Insurance Act, 1911, Section 42 (e), authorises the Commissioners to deduct the sums payable for these purposes only at the commencement of each year, and that there is no provision in any existing Statute for dealing in any way with deposit contributors after the 31st December, 1914?

Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN

No sums whatever have been charged to deposit contributors in respect of the year 1915. The latter part of the question does not therefore arise.

Mr. F. HALL

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the total value of the benefits received up to 31st December last by deposit contributors under the National Insurance Act; and the expenditure incurred in administering the deposit accounts?

Mr. BENN

The amount charged to deposit contributors in the United Kingdom for administration (including the State 2–9ths or 1–4th) to the 11th January, 1914, is approximately £40,000, and this amount (which of course does not include any charge in respect of administration by the Insurance Commissioners) has been paid or credited to the insurance committees. The cost of the benefits is approximately as follows:—

Payments in cash to Deposit Contributors.
£
For sickness benefit 13,000
For maternity benefit 5,000
Credited to Insurance Committees.
£
For medical benefit 120,000
For sanatorium benefit 29,000
Total for benefits of deposit contributors 167,000