Captain COOTEasked the Minister of Health whether he can give figures showing the receipts and expenditure for the past year under the National Health Insurance Act; whether he is aware of the inedequacy, felt in many instances, of the maximum benefit of 5s. per week; and whether there is any possibility of an increase of this amount being granted, with or without an increase in the rates of contribution?
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS OP THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE FUNDS (ENGLAND AND WALES) IN THE YEAR 1919. Receipts. Payments. £ £ Balance at 31st December, 1918 801,880 Issues to meet cost of benefits and expenses of administration:— Sale of Stamps 14,386,098 Contributions paid in Cash 1,730,275 £ Exchequer Grants 6,609,226 Approved Societies 8,695,898 Interest un In vestments in securities half of Secieties by Societies held on betees, be half of Societies 247,213 Insurance Commitees, etc. 7,068,017 Sums withdraw investment 415,000 Deposit Contributors and Navy and Army Insurance Fund, etc. 184,009 15,947,924 National Debt Commissioners: Investments on behalf of Approved Societies (Officers) Guarantee Funds 2,800 Miscellaneous 1,329 Balance at 31st December, 1919 427,450 £24,190,492 £24,190,492