§ Captain W. BENNasked the Minister of Health whether the rule under the National Health Insurance scheme that sickness must be notified within three days of its occurrence, and sickness benefit can only be claimed as from the date when notification was made to the society of the insured person, is or can be waived in cases where proper medical evidence is forthcoming as to the date when sickness commenced?
§ Sir K. WOODIt is essential to the proper administration of sickness benefit that an insured person should send prompt notification of his illness to his society, and it is expressly laid down in1858W Section 13 of the National Health Insurance Act, 1924, that if notice is not given within three days of the commencement of incapacity the title to benefit shall not accrue until the day following that on which notice is given unless the insured person can satisfy his society that he was not reasonably able to give earlier notice. My right hon. Friend cannot undertake to introduce the legislation which would be necessary to give effect to the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Gentleman.