§ Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of National Insurance why 4s. a week is deducted from the sickness benefit of a married man under the National Health Insurance who is in receipt of a 40 per cent. disability pension; and if he will take steps to see that disabled men are not penalised in this way.
§ Mr. TurtonPersonal sickness benefit is normally payable in full to a man receiving a war disability pension, but I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the adjustment that has to be made when a disability pensioner in receipt of a 4s. addition for his wife is also claiming an addition to sickness benefit in respect of her. The adjustment is made in accordance with the National Insurance (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations, 1948, which gave effect to the recommendations on this point made by the National Insurance Advisory Committee. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of their report.