§ Mr. T. JOHNSTONasked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if his attention has been called to the claim of Thomas Maxwell, 49, Townhead Street, Stevenston, on behalf of his wife for maternity benefit on the birth of a child on 6th January, 1924; if he is aware that the claim has been refused on the ground that, being unemployed during part of the year 1923, he fell into arrears 1059W with his insurance contributions; and if he will take steps to see that this man is not penalised because of having been out of employment?
Mr. STEWARTI have had enquiries made in this matter and I am advised that Maxwell has less than 26 contributions to his credit for the contribution year ended July, 1922, and consequently was suspended from all cash benefits during the 1923 benefit year, which ended on, but included, 6th January, the date of the confinement. He is, moreover, not entitled to the benefits of the Prolongation of Insurance Act and subsequent Arrears Regulations, on account of insufficient contributions during the period July, 1918, to July, 1920. In these circumstances his Approved Society have acted in accordance with the Regulations in refusing payment of Maternity Benefit.