Mr. NEW BOULDasked the Minister of Health (1) whether seamen pay 4d. per week for fifty-two weeks yearly under the National Health Insurance Acts; and if medical benefit is available in every instance for these men whilst at sea;
(2) whether medical officers in the Mercantile Marine are paid under the National Health Insurance Act for attending those of the crew who are insured persons?
§ Dr. ADDISONSeamen in the Mercantile Marine are liable to a deduction of 4d. a week from their pay in respect of health insurance contributions which cover the cost of sickness and other cash benefits as well as medical benefit, They are not entitled to medical benefit under those Acts whilst at sea, as the owner of the ship is liable under the Merchant Shipping Acts to provide them with medical treatment. If a seaman on the home trade falls ill on board ship he is usually put ashore at the nearest home port and at once becomes entitled to medical benefit under the Insurance Act. He is, therefore, in effect, entitled to medical benefit throughout the year. In the case of the man on a foreign-going ship, the full deduction of 4d. is made for every week of service, but on the average he only serves for about four-fifths of the year, and the Act provides that he shall be fully insured throughout the year in return for the payment of contributions for four-fifths of the year only. No payment is made under the 1077W National Health Insurance Acts to medical officers in the Mercantile Marine for attending insured seamen, as no duties are imposed on such officers by those Acts.