§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the attention of the National Health Insurance Commissioners has been drawn to the case of James O. Prewitt, of Alderbury, in the county of Wilts, who claims that he was ruptured in the course of his employment as a platelayer in the service of the London and South-Western Railway Company; that the company dispute his claim for compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act on the ground that he did not report the injury for three days after its occurrence; that he was found on examination to be suffering, in addition to rupture, from hydrocele, which could have had no connection with the accident; that the Oddfellows, his approved society, on their part dispute his claim to sick benefit, attributing his incapacity to the alleged accident; and whether, seeing that under these circumstances this employed contributor, although during his employment contributions were made by and for him to the National Health Insurance Fund and also by way of premium for insurance against accident, is unable in his present disabled condition to obtain any financial benefit whatever, the Commissioners propose to take any steps to remedy this injustice?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENNThe insured person referred to is entitled, in accordance with Section 67 of the Act of 1911, to appeal against the decision of his society first in accordance with the procedure for arbitration provided for by the society's rules, and ultimately to the Commissioners. Unless the case is so brought before the Commissioners for formal decision on appeal, they have no power to decide whether or not benefit is payable by the society.