§ Mr. D. GREENALLasked the Minister of Health how many working days were lost through illness by contributors towards the National Health Insurance schemes, with the total amount of benefit paid in the year 1925?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe total amount of sickness and disablement benefit paid in the year 1925 to contributors to the National Health Insurance Scheme in England and Wales, during periods of illness which rendered the contributors incapable of work, was approximately £13,849,000. Exact particulars are not available as to the number of working days for which sickness and disablement benefit were paid, but it is estimated that the total number of weeks of sickness represented 1681W by the above payment is upwards of 25,000,000. In making this estimate, account has to be taken of a number of uncertain factors, and the result can only be regarded as a rough approximation.