§ Sir RICHARD COOPERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the accounts of deposit contributors in England and Wales under the National Insurance Act were debited in October last with the cost of medical benefit and administration for the year 1914; if so, what was the total amount thus debited?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENNThe sums payable in respect of deposit contributors for medical and sanatorium benefit and the expenses of administration for the year 1914 were not actually debited in the accounts of contributors in October last, but, under the provisions of Statutory Order 1330 of 1913, where a claim for sickness or maternity benefit was made during the last quarter of 1913, a sum was reserved in the account in order to secure the contributor's right to medical and sanatorium benefit for the year 1914. The sums so reserved amounted to less than £900.