§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what cash return petty officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Forces have actually received for their contributions under the National Insurance Act since the Act has been in force?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANearly half of the insured seamen and Marines are members of approved societies during service, while a large proportion of those who belong to the Navy and Army Insurance Fund during service join approved societies on discharge, and it is not possible to give any information as to the cash benefits received by these men. The only cash benefit provided by the Act during service is maternity benefit, and the actual amount paid on this account to serving seamen and Marines who belong to the Navy and Army Insurance Fund is nearly £6,000. It must be remembered, however, that the main return for their contributions is the right1120W to receive full benefits as civilians, when discharged, at the ordinary employed rate of contribution by the help of a transfer value from the Navy and Army Insurance Fund on joining an approved society or by readmission to the fund under Section 46 (3) (h) of the Act.