Mr. DENNISSasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can say, in reference to England and Wales, what amount was contributed during 1913 by contributors, and by how many contributors; the amount contributed by employers and by how many employers; and the 1139W amount paid on account of each form of benefit out of the National Health Fund and out of moneys provided by Parliament, respectively?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENNIt would not be possible to ascertain the number of employers who paid contributions during 1913, or the number of contributors in respect of whom the contributions were paid. The number of insured persons in England and Wales, according to the latest returns, is 11,547,000, inclusive of soldiers, sailors, and marines, who are not members of societies. The total receipts of the National Health Insurance Fund for England for the fifty-two weeks ended 11th January, 1914, from contributions, amounted to £15,055,127. The following payments out of the National Health Insurance Fund for England have been made for the same period:-
— From Contributions. From Exchequer. Total. To Approved Societies— For Sickness Benefit 3,776,500 1,126,100 4,902,600 For Maternity Benefit 790,900 222,500 1,013,400 4,567,400 1,348,600 5,916,000 To Deposit Contributors— For Sickness Benefit 8,800 2,200 11,000 For Maternity Benefit 3,400 1,000 4,400 12,200 3,200 15,400 To Insurance Committees— For Medical Benefit 2,050,725 1,721,447 3,772,172 For Sanatorium Benefit 427,173 164,331 591,504 2,477,898 1,885,778 4,363,676