§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMasked the Minister of Health if he can state the number of industrial or other undertakings in this country which at present have group life and pension assurance schemes for their staffs, thereby taking them outside the National Health Insurance Acts; and how many employés these schemes collectively represent?
§ Mr. GREENWOODAbout 600 employing authorities in England and Wales have obtained exception from compulsory insurance under the National Health Insurance Acts in respect of approximately 350,000 employés, on the ground that the Minister has certified that the terms of employment secure benefit in sickness and disablement of at least equal value to those given by the Acts. In general these employés are entitled to be voluntary contributors under the Acts if they so desire.