§ Mr. ASTORasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Nurses' Insurance Society have submitted a scheme to the Insurance Commission whereby nurses would be given the option of receiving, in lieu of the sickness benefit provided under the National Insurance Act, a largely increased sickness benefit commencing at the end of the first six weeks of illness; whether the Commission have sanctioned this scheme; and, if not, whether, before refusing, they will take steps to ascertain the wishes and needs of nurses in reference to sickness benefit?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Commissioners were unable to accept the scheme in the form in which it was submitted by the Nurses' Insurance Society. They forwarded a suggested alternative to the society, and are now in communication with them as to the form 495W of substituted benefits which would best meet the needs of the particular class of insured persons in this society.