§ Mr. NEWMANasked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office have determined to continue to men employed at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, such of their present benefits as 1182W they will not receive under the National Insurance Bill; whether he will state the benefits at present received for which the benefits under the Bill are to be substituted; whether, to receive such State benefits; actuarial calculations make it necessary that the maximum contributions from employed employés and the State should be contributed; whether the weekly sum of 6d. at present deducted as a set off for privileges granted will continue to be deducted; and whether, the answer being in the affirmative, including unemployment benefit, there will be paid by and in respect of each workman 4d. plus 3d. plus 2–9d. plus 6d. plus 5d., or, roughly, 1s. 8d.?
§ Mr. TENNANTMen now serving will have continued to them such of their present benefits as they will not receive under the National Insurance Bill. Sick pay and medical attendance under the conditions defined in the Rules of the Royal Ordnance Factories are the benefits now received for which the benefits under the Bill will be substituted. The men in future will pay the full normal contributions, as actuarialy determined, and will get the full normal benefits under the Bill. In addition he will be getting a rise of 6d. a week in lieu of the benefits now to be given under the Bill which formerly were given under Ordnance Factory Rules, and will continue in addition to enjoy the remaining benefits under those rules. Of the shilling at which privileges were formerly reckoned in assessing wages, one 6d. goes and the other 6d. remains in respect of privileges given. The figures as stated in the last part of the question are not wholly correct; the fraction is two-ninths, not of a 1d., but of the cost of benefits under the Health Insurance Scheme, and the 6d. is not a deduction from wages, as explained above.