§ Mr. VIANTasked the Minister of Health whether, on the cancellation of their present scheme of additional benefits under the National Health Insurance Acts as from the 5th of July, 1925, it will be possible for an approved society to transfer the balances on account in respect of non-cash benefits funds remaining at the expiration of their existing schemes to a special assistance benefit fund for the provision of similar non-cash benefits to new entrants or, alternatively, to persons admitted as members in the interval between the date of valuation, 31st December, 1922, and the date of the coming into operation of the new scheme on 6th July, 1925?
1548W
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe balances in question can only be applied in supplement of sums available for distribution under a new scheme of additional benefits to members qualified to receive them in accordance with the Act and Regulations. A scheme cannot provide for the utilisation of this money for the provision of non-cash benefits to new entrants from the date of their becoming members, but I may point out that persons admitted as members in the years 1923, 1924 and 1925 will be entitled to participate in the benefits provided under the new schemes at varying dates according to the duration of their membership.