Lieut.-Colonel HENDERSONasked the Minister of Health what is the total amount of the contributions that have been credited to seamen insured under the National Health Insurance Act in respect of each of the 12 months ended 1698W 31st December, 1920 and 1921, distinguishing, as far as possible, between the total amounts of the contributions credited respectively to foreign-going seamen and home-trade seamen?
§ Sir A. MONDIt is not possible to state the total amount of the contributions received in respect of seamen in the home trade, as the cards of such seamen cannot be distinguished from those of persons in employment on shore. The contributions of foreign-going seamen are paid on special cards, and are shown separately in the records of societies. To obtain the total amount of such contributions would, however, be a very laborious task, involving an examination of the half-yearly returns from about 2,000 societies and branches having foreign-going seamen members. Moreover, the figures for the year 1921 are not yet available. I am having a statement prepared of the total amount of the contributions for foreign-going seamen credited in 1920 in respect of members of the two principal seamen's societies, and will forward it to the hon. and gallant Member.