§ Mr. SIDNEY ROBINSONasked the Pensions Minister whether Grants are to be made to friendly societies in respect of members of such societies whose payments have fallen into arrears during the time they were in His Majesty's service?
§ Major ASTORI have been asked to reply to this question. In the case of men required to be insured under the National Health Insurance Acts, no arrears accrue during military service, as contributions continue to be paid under the provisions of Section 46 of the Act of 1911, as amended by subsequent Statutes. I assume, therefore, that my hon. Friend refers to payments due to friendly societies on their voluntary side, and I am, informed that many of these societies have made arrangements, varying in kind, to prevent their members falling into arrears while serving. In some cases any liability so incurred has been met by a levy on the civilian members. Such arrangements have been entered into by the friendly societies on their own initiative, and it is not proposed to make any Grant from Government funds to meet a liability which has been voluntarily dealt with by these societies themselves.