§ Mr. CROOKS asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that all employés, other than staff, who have entered the service of the Royal Arsenal since the passage of the National Insurance Act, 1911, are stopped a certain sum per week on account of privileges which do not include sick benefit, whilst all employés who entered before that date are stopped exactly the same amount but do receive sick benefit; and whether he will explain the reason for this differential treatment?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSON: Some of the employés who were engaged before the National Insurance Act came into force 1245W had rights to sickness benefits in excess of those conferred by the Act. It is considered fair that these old servants should retain these excess benefits without any countervailing reduction in their rate of wages.