§ Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the present estimated cost of insurance under the National Insurance Act to the nation, deducting the amounts raised by the compulsory taxes or payments enforced by that measure?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe estimated cost to the Exchequer of State contributions, the State proportion of benefits and expenses of administration of approved societies and insurance committees, and the salaries and expenses of the National Health Insurance Joint Committee, the four Insurance Commissions, and the Audit Staff under Part I. of the National Insurance Act for the year 1913–14 is £4,400,000. To this amount must be added the cost of the proposed new Exchequer Grant for medical benefit (£1,650,000), making a total of just over £6,000,000. The estimated cost to the Exchequer of the State contributions to the Unemployment Fund, the State Grant under Section 106 and the cost of administration under Part II. of the Act for the year 1913-14 is approximately £766,000, making 1451W a total (exclusive of the amounts appearing in the Votes of other Departments for buildings, printing, and stationery, etc.) for both Health and Unemployment Insurance of about £6,800,000.