§ Mr. HERBERT CRAIGasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether his attention has been called to the case of Thomas Rutherford, who became an employed contributor under the Insurance Act in July, 1912, being then fifty-four years of age, and who, after paying eighty-four contributions, has ceased to be an employed person, but wishes to continue in insurance as a voluntary contributor; whether he is aware that Rutherford has been informed by his approved society (the Rechabites) that, as he has not been five years in insurance and is not yet sixty years of age, he will, in order to become a voluntary contributor, not only have to pay at the increased rate per week but also have to pay arrears, representing for the whole time he has been an insured person under the Act the difference between the rates for an employed person and a voluntary contributor; whether he is aware that this computation of arrears represents for a person in Rutherford's position a considerable sum; and whether, in the event of Rutherford being unable to pay this amount, he can say whether the whole of Rutherford's previous contributions under the Act are entirely forfeited?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENNThe conditions of transfer from employed to voluntary contributor have been correctly stated by the society. If Rutherford does not elect to remain in insurance as a voluntary contributor, he will not be entitled to any refund of contributions; and, in fact, the value of his insurance up to the end of the eighty-fourth week is in excess (having regard to his age) of the contributions which he has paid.