§ Mr. NIELDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Insurance Commissioners have intimated to the friendly societies who have become approved societies, and in particular the Ancient Order of Shepherds, that all cards of insurance must be returned before the 26th October, and that such cards upon which the full thirteen contributions have not been paid will be considered fully paid for the purpose of reckoning the benefits receivable by the persons mentioned thereon; and whether the deficiency will be made good by the Treasury?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAll insured persons who are members of approved societies are required by the regulations of the Commissioners to send in their contribution cards for the first quarter to their societies by 26th October. This requirement has been brought to the notice of all approved societies and of all insured persons. With regard to the second and third paragraphs of the question, I presume that the hon. Member is referring to Section 10 (4) of the Act which provides that in calculating arrears of contributions (on which the rate of sickness benefit depends) no account shall be taken in the case of employed1940W contributors of any arrears accruing during the first year of the Act. At the same time Section 8 (8) provides that such contributors are not entitled to sickness or maternity benefit until twenty-six full weekly contributions have been paid in respect of them. These are definite provisions of the Act, not regulations of the Insurance Commissioners, and were factors in the actuaries' calculations. The ground suggested by the hon. Member for anticipating a deficiency does not therefore exist.