§ Mr. ALBERT GREENasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will consider the possibility of increasing the sick benefits payable under the National Health Insurance by 100 per cent., at any rate in the case of married men contributors; and whether he will consider the possibility of providing for contributors under the National Health Insurance scheme that, when the panel doctor considers that the services and advice of a medical specialist are desirable in the interests of life and health, such special services may be provided under the scheme without extra cost to the contributor?
§ Mr. PRATTI have been asked to reply to this question. The question of some increase in the rates of sickness and dis-1430W ablement benefits under the National Health Insurance Acts has been brought before the Insurance Commissioners from various quarters and has been and is still being very carefully considered, both in relation to the increased cost of living and also to the existing rate of contributions and otherwise. The suggestion contained in the concluding part of the question was one of the various purposes for which Supplementary Estimates were before Parliament in the summer of 1914; their fulfilment has been suspended in consequence of the War, but is now having immediate attention.