§ Mr TOUCHEalso asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, in what way it is proposed to deal with insurance arrears of British civilians who were in Germany at the outbreak of the War, but have since been allowed to return home, in respect of the period for which they were interned in Germany, having regard to the hardship which would be involved in holding them responsible for the arrears?
Mr. ROBERTSIn the case of insured civilians who have been interned abroad the period of internment is to be treated as a period of temporary unemployment for the purposes of the National Insurance Acts, and on return to the United Kingdom such persons are allowed a special period of grace in which they may256W pay off their arrears in respect of the period of internment by paying such part only of the contributions as would not have been payable in the ordinary course by the employer. So far as the arrears relate to a period before 4th July, 1915, societies may give assistance out of the Arrears Benevolent Fund towards the payment of the arrears.